The trip was long, almost endless.
The path to the round of 16 of the Europa League Conference, the new creation of UEFA, a sort of 3rd continental division, passed for the Marseillais through Azerbaijan more than 4,500 km from the Old Port.
This little trip to the depths of Europe went well for the teammates of Steve Mandanda, once again the holder as on the way out.
What you must remember
For this return match, Jorge Sampaoli decided to turn almost everything upside down compared to the first leg where his team had won (3-1).
Seven changes including Milik on the bench and the return of Rongier, Saliba, Caleta-Car, Guendouzi, Bakambu, Payet and Dieng.
Brilliant on the first leg, Steve Mandanda took over the gloves.
From the 12th minute, Pape Gueye opened the scoring with a shot from a tight angle which ricocheted off Balayev's opposite post (0-1).
This is the first goal on the European scene for Gueye.
Logically, the premises push to equalize.
They think to achieve it by Wadji (34th).
This equalization is first validated by the Polish referee of the meeting, Mr. Frankowski, before finally being refused.
After much palaver and a lot of nervousness, the Senegalese admitted, in fact, to the referee to have scored with his hand.
At the break,
the Phocaeans are still three goals ahead of Qarabag.
After the break, Qarabag continues to push but fails to surprise Mandanda, impeccable in his goal.
Often jostled, Marseille, under the impetus of Dimitri Payet, author of two decisive passes, accentuated their advantage on a floating strike from Guendouzi (0-2, 77th) then a stung ball from De La Fuente (0-3, 90th + 3 ).
The French international is definitely the man from Baku where he scored, with Arsenal, his first professional goal in October 2018.
77th) then a stung ball from De La Fuente (0-3, 90th + 3).
The French international is definitely the man from Baku where he scored, with Arsenal, his first professional goal in October 2018.
77th) then a stung ball from De La Fuente (0-3, 90th + 3).
The French international is definitely the man from Baku where he scored, with Arsenal, his first professional goal in October 2018.
The player: Ibrahima Wadji
He is unquestionably the man of the match.
Not necessarily for his performance on the pitch, but because of his honesty.
Author of a goal just before half-time, the Senegalese indicated, with fair play, to the referee to have helped the hand to deceive the vigilance of Steve Mandanda.
In their time, the Argentinian Diego Maradona during the 1986 World Cup against England, and Vata, four years later, with Benfica against… Marseille in the semi-finals of the Champions Clubs Cup did not have the same elegance .
The number: 2
Like the number of French clubs qualified for the knockout stages of the Europa League Conference.
Reversed in C4 after their third place in the Europa League, the Marseillais continue their journey and join Rennes, automatically qualified thanks to the first place in their group.
During the draw scheduled for this Friday, OM will face one of the following clubs: Linz, Feyenoord Alkmaar, AS Rome, Basel, Copenhagen or La Gantoise.
