The Marseillais did not doubt for long. Didn't tremble, either. It took only six minutes for OM to get back to the score in the first half after a first Angevin goal, before offering themselves an important victory in the final sprint (3-1).
Like Lens against Reims on Friday (2-1), Olympique de Marseille was first surprised by its opponent of the evening. In the 28th minute, the Angevins went on the counterattack, and Abdallah Sima tumbled completely alone on the right wing, before placing the ball under the crossbar of Pau Lopez (0-1).
But like Lens against Reims, the Phocaeans were able to react. In the 34th minute of play, Alexis Sanchez took a perfect center from Jonathan Clauss (1-1). Little room for doubt, especially when his captain is present. Holder this Sunday evening, it is Dimitri Payet who freed up an entire stadium on the return of the locker room, by taking a center at ground level at the second post (48th, 2-1).
💙🥹 pic.twitter.com/FqsuGcDhuq
— Olympique de Marseille (@OM_Officiel) May 14, 2023
A standing ovation for Payet
A captain, more often on the bench than the field this season, given a standing ovation at his exit after the hour of play by a Velodrome where almost every spectator stood up to applaud him. A standing ovation that could potentially be his last in the den of Marseille football, he who should be suspended until the end of the season, after slapping Yannick Cahuzac in Lens.
A last goal from Jordan Veretout on penalty (3-1, 77th), and it is a crucial victory that OM has ensured this Sunday. The victory of a team that wants to keep its chances of being the runner-up of PSG, until the end.
"There are still points missing, we will not give up. It's this second place that we want to get, "assured Jordan Veretout after the game, at the microphone of BeIn Sports. Mattéo Guendouzi agrees: "It's going to be difficult until the end of the season. The goal is to qualify for the Champions League. »
With this success against a red lantern already condemned, the Marseillais have responded to their competitors, but no longer have their destiny in their hands. After 35 days of Ligue 1, the Phocaeans are two points behind their rivals in the North. Two units behind, too, on goal difference. A detail, perhaps, but a detail that could well be important when it comes to reckoning at the end of the season.