Valenciennes did well in their trip south as they held Olympique de Marseille to a 1-1 draw, honours event, in match day twenty-four at the Stade Vélodrome. With the result, l’OM sits in a third in the table, level with Lyonnais and Rennes who play on Sunday with Valenciennes nestled in at the tenth spot.

Les Olympiens manager Didier Deschamps, without the services of injured snipers Loïc Rémy and André-Pierre Gignac, as well as maintaining an eye towards their mid-week Champions League clash tinkered with his line-up with Jordan Ayew up-top and in-from striker Brandão on the bench. After Jordan Ayew was unable to connect with a header at the eighth minute, l’OM went in front 1-0 at the sixteenth minute as Alou Diarra raised high to nod in Rod Fanni’s sublime cross from the right. Buoyed with confidence the hosts continued to press with Jordan Ayew’s prospective effort from distance benefited from a mad deflection before bounding off the cross-bar at the twenty-ninth minute. Les Marseillais continued to dominate, excluding Renaud Cohade flirtation with the leveller that saw Charles Kaboré clear the ball off the line, but were unable to add to their lead as the contest went to the break 1-0.

At the re-start, M. Deschamps called upon Benoît Cheyrou for the now injured goal-scorer but said lead did not last long as corner from the left was un-cleared at the back-post with Gil poking the ball through a crowd and into the net. Just past the hour Brandão entered for Jordan Ayew, with Jérémy Morel for Djimi Traore to follow shortly. Jérémy Morel showed a burst of pace from left back and l’OM continued to apply the petrol but the final touch was lacking. In added-time, with the Marseillais urging their side on, Brandão drew hushed sighs as his header of Charles Kaboré’s cross from the left rasped off the woodwork before being played to safety. Following three minutes of added-time match day referee Saïd Ennjim sounded his whistle with the final result a 1-1 draw, honours even.

Prepared by John Davies
©Europa League News, 2011
All rights reserved

Olympique de Marseille secured its spot in the quarter-finals of the Coupe de France with a comfortable 3-1 victory over Championaat side Bourg-Péronnas before a sparse crowd of under 9,000 that braved icy conditions at the Stade Vélodrome.

After a measured start with little attacking venom to note, Les Olympiens went in front 1-0 at the half-hour as a César Azpilicueta chased down a long ball near the right by-line before sending high volley to the back post that Brandão shook off his mark to poke into the net. l’OM doubled the margin at the second minute of added-time via a quick assault on the right that saw Morgan Amalfitano race into the area before sliding a low provision that Brandão did not waste from ten metres.

At the re-start Olympiens manager Didier Deschamps summoned Jordan Ayew for Loïc Rémy and only eight minutes later the Ghanaian international added his name to the score sheet with an effort from distance. Via a quick counter the twenty year-old attacker latched onto Benoît Cheyrou’s provision on the left, surged forward before teeing up to his right and sending a low skipping effort from twenty-four metres to the bottom near corner. With the contest now effectively fait accompli, M. Deschamps called upon Jean-Philippe Sabo for Mathieu Valbuena just before the hour with the Marseillais faithful later giving Brandão his just due fifteen minutes later as the Brazilian striker left for Charles Kaboré. While the Rhône-Alpes side managed to squeeze a goal past Gennaro Bracigliano with Ousmane Diaby pushing a deflected free-kick past the veteran ‘keeper at the seventy-eight minute it had little impact upon the outcome as Didier Deschamps’ men continued their route towards to Coupe de France with a 3-1 victory.

Prepared by John Davies
©Europa League News, 2011
All rights reserved

Lyon came from behind to squeeze out a hard earned 2-2 draw honours even with Olympique de Marseille at Stade Vélodrome in week twenty-two of the Ligue 1 campaign. With the result, l’OM maintains fifth in the congested table with Lyonnais a scant point above.

Coming off the mid-week victory over Nice in the Coupe de la Ligue, les Olympiens manager Didier Deschamps made two changes to his starting eleven with Souleymane Diawara and Charles Kaboré entering for Rod Fanni and Mathieu Valbuena who was under suspension. His counterpart, Rémi Garde, summoned the mercurial Jimmy Briand and Bakary Koné for Alexandre Lacazette and Chris. In extreme cold conditions for the Marseillais faithful, the visitors narrowly missed grabbing an early lead with Steve Mandanda thwarting Bafétimbi Gomis’ point blank effort via Lisandro López’s provision. After dispelling OL’s advance, Benoît Cheyrou provided the hosts the one-goal advantage at the sixteenth minute as he latched onto Charles Kaboré’s re-directed provision and squeezed the ball into the right bottom corner net from close range. The goal spurred l’OM into action and four minutes past the half-hour the always inventive Morgan Amalfitano sent a precise cross to Brandão for a picturesque volley past ‘keeper Hugo Lloris to double the lead. Down by two Lyon stormed back and two minutes later Kim Källström’s a corner from the left was flicked on by Jimmy Briand with Bafétimbi Gomis making no mistake from five metres. Just shy of the break the contest was level as Kim Källström’s cross took a deflection before Souleymane Diawara was victimized by an own goal as he turned the ball into the net.

After the break play buttoned down though Lyon were looking the more likely of the two to find the winning margin. Jimmy Briand continued to be a menace in l’OM’s defending stance as he set-up up Bafétimbi Gomis shy of the hour only to see the high probability effort wisp into the side netting. Lyon looked to have smash and grabbed the full three points as deep into added-time Kim Källström cross from the left was turned quickly by Lisandro López but his seemingly goal-bound effort was stopped by Steve Mandanda, thus sealing the result, a 2-2 draw honours even.

Olympique de Marseille booked passage to its third consecutive Coupe de la Ligue final with a 2-1 triumph over local foes Nice at the Stade Vélodrome. With the result, l’OM will face Olympique Lyonnais on 14 April at the Stade de France in the capital.

With Mathieu Valbuena at the helm, flanked by Loïc Rémy and Morgan Amalfitano on his left and right respectively and Brandão up top, Didier Deschamps’ took the pitch buoyed with recent successes. Two minutes past the quarter-hour the highly sought-after Loïc Rémy brought the faithful to their feet with a sumptuous curling effort from the left side of the area to the far top corner of David Ospina’s net. Nice, in full desperation mode at the bottom of the Ligue 1 table with the threat of relegation looming large, fought back amiably and a minute shy of the break Dja Djé Djé’s cross was volleyed into the net by Anthony Mounier.

Three minutes shy of the hour Brandão restored l’OM’s lead as he latched onto a poorly cleared ball and rifled in what would prove to be the winning margin. However the night would be a rough ride and fanning petrol onto the fire, at the sixty-fifth minute match day referee Clément Turpin issued Mathieu Valbuena his second yellow cared for taking a free-kick too early, thus forcing les Olympiens to play a man down for the balance of the evening. Digging their boots in firmly l’OM kept Nice at bay and at the eighty-third minute the personnel advantage was eliminated as Dja Djé Djé was shown a straight red-card for his poorly timed challenge of César Azpilicueta. Despite Nice’s efforts, l’OM goalkeeper Steve Mandanda would not allow his goal to be breached and with the final whistle the Marseillais celebrated the 2-1 victory.

Prepared by John Davies
©Europa League News, 2011
All rights reserved

Though his departure comes as know surprise, with the transfer window nearing closure Olympique de Marseille announced Lucho González in en route to Porto.

For the thirty-one year-old playmaker it marks a return to the Portuguese powerhouse where he featured from 2005 through 2009 after coming from River Plate. Quickly becoming a favourite at the Estádio do Dragão by 2007 he proudly adorned the captain\s armband in Porto’s stunning championship run.

In the summer of 2009 Porto filled its coffers with the transfer of Lucho González to l’OM for a reported 18 €m and though his early stages in Marseille were bright, gradually his play slipped as he made it known of a preferred transfer. With “El Comandante” having little doubt of his desire to return to Porto despite overtures from Lázio, International and Olympiakos, the deal was struck for a 5 €m, once again providing evidence of the Portuguese clubs astute financial dealings.

For l’OM, a club notably trying to shed weight from its salaries and wages, the loss of the veteran playmaker will place a heavy burden on its already lean bench depth. Tactically it could very well result in manager Didier Deschamps shifting the intensely talented Mathieu Valbuena moving into a centralist position with Morgan Amalfitano and André Ayew in flanking positions in support of lead striker Loïc Rémy.

Prepared by John Davies
©Europa League News, 2011
All rights reserved

Olympique de Marseille came from behind to defeat host Stade Rennais 2-1 at Stade de la Route de Lorient in match day twenty-one of Ligue 1. Well recovered from their trying start to the campaign “les Olympiens” climb to the fifth spot in the table, a scant point behind to Lyon of whom they welcome to the cauldron of Stade Vélodrome next Sunday.

Coming off last weeks emphatic victory over Lille Métropole, l’OM manager Didier Deschamps made no changes to his line-up, excluding Rod Fanni taking the spot of Stéphane M’Bia who is out with injury. The opening stages saw a tense battle with chances sparing before Tongo Hamed Doumbia gave Frédéric Antonetti’s men the one-goal advantage at the fourteenth minute. Initiated via a free-kick on the right, the ball was partially cleared to Lucho González who after losing possession watched the promising young midfielder rip a low beaming effort to the bottom left corner from twenty-six metres. Down by l’OM went on the assault but met their match with host ‘keeper Abdoulaye Diallo in fine form as he denied Morgan Amalfitano’s header via a corner. However fortune smiled the way of the Marseillais as Loïc Rémy probed down the left and looking for a cross he delivered the ball into the box to which Onyekachi Apam inadvertently flicked to the opposite corner of the net.

Les Rouges et Noirs looked dangerous at the re-start, attacking with a textbook triangular line with Jirès Kembo Ekoko in perfect position to score before Nicolas N’Koulou made a stunning lunging blow. Marseille began to carve out opening with Loïc Rémy once again the instigator as his teasing cross was a smidgen ahead of Lucho González at the back post with the goal beckoning. With thirteen minutes remaining in regulation time Benoît Cheyrou struck the deciding mark as he dispossessed Tongo Hamed Doumbia of the ball in the midfield, pushed forward before sliding it to Mathieu Valbuena on the left. The sterling playmaker cut inside before teeing up Benoît Cheyrou whose booming effort careened off the mitts of Abdoulaye Diallo and into the net. In the final ten minute the l’OM tactician called upon Brandão for Lucho González, with Jean-Philippe Sabo for Mathieu Valbuena in the latter stages and though they had ample opportunity to extend the lead they head Rennes at bay to capture the 2-1 victory.

Prepared by John Davies
©Europa League News, 2011
All rights reserved

Courtesy of hard fought 3-1 extra-time victory over Le Havre at the Stade Vélodrome, Olympique de Marseille advanced to the round of sixteen of the Coupe de France to face minnows Bourg-Péronnas.

Le Havre, trapped in the mid-table of Ligue 2, entered the contest with hopes of an upset and within six minutes shocked the Marseillais as Ryan Mendes out-raced Stéphane Mbia for a long ball on the right before drilling the ball past l’OM goalkeeper Steve Mandanda. The perfect start for the Normandy side narrowly missed being undone but efforts from Loïc Rémy and Alou Diarra were halted by ‘keeper Johnny Placide and the visitors took the one-goal advantage to the break.

Play continued to be tight until Didier Deschamps men notched the leveller four minutes past the hour as Morgan Amalfitano surged on the right before delivering a long cross to the back post that Brandão out leapt the ‘keeper to nod into the net. With the match square Le Havre dug its boots in but squandered two quality chances, first with Steve Mandanda denying Ryan Mendes and then with five minutes in regulation time remaining Alexandre Bonnet sending an effort wide from close range despite a wide open goal beckoning.

Extra time proved to be the visitors undoing as fifteen minutes in Morgan Amalfitano drilled a booming effort from twenty-five metres to the top left corner of the net past the stranded ‘keeper. Still Le Havre kept up pace to equalizer and after seeing Steve Mandanda once again rise to the occasion, Johnny Placide race forward for a last gasp corner. The Haitian ‘keeper did well to head the ball but after being blocked Mathieu Valbuena led a long counter on the left led before crossing to Loïc Rémy in the box. Turning on a defended with Johnny Placide racing back into position the talented twenty-fire year old attacker sent the ball to the bottom left corner to seal Olympique de Marseille’s 3-1 victory.

Prepared by John Davies
©Europa League News, 2011
All rights reserved

Olympique de Marseille’s steady climb up the table continued as l’OM returned from the Christmas break to celebrate a 2-0 victory over defending champions Lille Métropole at Stade Vélodrome in match day twenty of the Ligue 1 campaign. With the result l’OM pulls to sixth in the table, a modest nine points off league leader Paris Saint Germain and far removed from the side that was winless until week seven.

Coming off successive victory in the Coupe de France and Coupe de la Ligue this past week in tune-up, l’OM knew they would face a mighty test against the defending champions who were intent on keeping pace with front runners PSG. The opening mix showed a decided tight tone with both sides willing to press forward but having little bite in the final third. Following a series of inconsequential low probability efforts the match began to open up midway of the half with Mathieu Valbuena serving up Loïc Rémy with a perfect through ball only to see the young striker thwarted by Lille ‘keeper Mickaël Landreau. Though l’OM continued to look the more likely of the two to break the deadlock, play was lacking in the final third and the contest went to the break scoreless.

After the re-start, the general theme changed little with Les Phocéens showing volition with flanking assaults only to be met by a curmudgeonly Lille defending wall. However a minute past the hour l’OM struck the right chord with a sumptuous development of play on the right flank between Lucho González and Mathieu Valbuena. Accepting the ball from the former Porto play-maker, Mathieu Valbuena cut sharply into the right side of the area before sending the perfect cross to the back post that Loïc Remy nodded in from six metres. With the Marseillais faithful in full song, Didier Deschamps’ men looked strong but needed a brilliant stop by goalkeeper Steve Mandanda on Eden Hazard after the Belgium virtuoso manoeuvred to point plank range. Lille’s opportunities to level were sparse and with seven minutes remaining in regulation time Loïc Remy drove the nail into the coffin of the visitors as he raced onto an errant ball well outside the area to the right, shifted past Mickaël Landreau and sent a low rolling effort to the left corner of the net for the two goal advantage. With the evening effectively fait accompli Olympique de Marseille killed off Lille’s advances and following five minutes of added-time lay claim to the 2-0 victory.

Prepared by John Davies
©Europa League News, 2011
All rights reserved

Highlighted by the brothers Ayew three goals, Olympique de Marseille surged to the round of sixteen in the Coupe de France with 5-0 victory over Red Star at Stade de France, though the score was flattering to l’OM.

In tune-up of the return of the Ligue 1, starting on 15 January with Lille Métropole’s visit of Stade Vélodrome, Marseillais manager Didier Deschamps was hopeful of a strong star against the Championnat side. However the Parisian suburbanites were up for the task as “giant killers” and just shy of the fifth minute Youcef Touati surged the centre of the pitch before facing down on l’OM goalkeeper Steve Mandanda only to see his final effort brilliantly stopped from thirteen metres. After the brief joust, the Marseillais began to churn out openings with particular success on the left flank. Near the mid-way of the half a deflected Loïc Rémy effort from close range glanced off the woodwork with a further chance denied moments a few later by Red Star ‘keeper Mathieu Gorgelin. l’OM’s efforts were having little good fortune until the forty-first minute when César Azpilicueta’s mercurial run on rights saw his cut back on the by-line with his effort blocked but Jordan Ayew was quick to lash the rebound into the net for the one goal advantage.

Looking to build upon the lead, Les Phocéens came out quickly with Lucho González spooning an effort from thirteen metres over the bar after a quick counter on the left. Still Red Star showed no fear with Steve Marlet played in sumptuously on the left only to see thirty-seven year old veteran and French international stopped by Steve Mandanda. However on the hour the margin was doubled as André Ayew carved out a brilliant opening on the left side of the area before sending a lofted cross to Mathieu Valbuena, uncharacteristically wearing number ten, to powerfully volley into the net from twelve metres. Up by two the contest was fait accompli with l’OM erupting for three late goals, the first coming at the eighty-first minute as André Ayew delivered a free kick, courtesy of a fortuitous deflection off the wall, from just outside the area to the upper right corner of the net. Four minutes later, Benoît Cheyrou made it 4-0 as he latched onto a partially cleared effort and from well outside the area volleyed an unstoppable left footed drive into the net. Adding icing to the score, Jordan Ayew completed the scoring in the second minute of added-time as courtesy of César Azpilicueta’s from the right by-line he drilled the ball to the far post from twelve metres to give Olympique de Marseille the 5-0 victory.

Prepared by John Davies
©Europa League News, 2011
All rights reserved

Olympique de Marseille extended its unbeaten run with a last gasp victory over Lorient at Stade Vélodrome in match-day eighteen of Ligue 1. With the result, l’OM sits eighth in the table and after a disastrous start to the campaign are nine points off first place Montpellier a week shy of the break.

Coming off the draw with Bordeaux, l’OM manager Didier Deschamps made three changes to his line-up with Jérémy Morel, Stéphane M’Bia and Jordan Ayew for Djimi Traoré, Benoît Cheyrou and André Ayew. Marseillais narrowly missed taking the lead in the early moment as the always dangerous Mathieu Valbuena delivered a free-kick off the woodwork. Both sides tightened down play with Lorientais squandered a high quality effort at the nineteenth minute as Alaixys Romao was unable finish after an impressive surge on the flank. Three minutes past the half-hour match-day referee Nicolas Rainville had no other choice than hand Lamine Koné a straight red-card for his professional foul on Loïc Rémy as the last man. In the ensuring free-kick Mathieu Valbuena’s free-kick was played poorly by ‘keeper Fabien Audard but the Lorient man managed to snuff out the effort before the goal was breached.

At the re-start Mr. Deschamps summoned Benoît Cheyrou for Alou Diarra with the Olympiens showing early promise as the thirty-year old midfielder sent Morgan Amalfitano’s cross, via Loïc Rémy, wide of the woodwork. While the second-half was certainly more venomous going forward, neither side could post possessed the needed touch until Lorient broken the deadlock with thirteen minutes remaining in regulation as the highly promising twenty-two year-old Swiss international Innocent Emeghara raced onto Arnold Mvuemba long ball into the left side of the area, cut to right past Nicolas N’Koulou and goalkeeper Steve Mandanda before calming finishing. Down by one, the l’OM tactician added Lucho González for Souleymane Diawara shortly thereafter and at the eighty-fourth minute as Mathieu Valbuena notched the leveller seven minutes later with a brilliant curling effort to the top right corner of the net from a few metres outside of the area. Lorient’s efforts were further challenged as time ticked down as Alaixys Romao was sent off with his second yellow-card due to dissent. The visitors looked to have held off l’OM but in the final stroke of time Benoît Cheyrou nodded Mathieu Valbuena’s precision free-kick for the 2-1 victory.

Prepared by John Davies
©Europa League News, 2011
All rights reserved