Olympique de Marseille’s crisis deepened with a shocking 3-2 loss to third tier side Quevilly at Stade Michel d’Ornano in the quarter-finals of the Coupe de France. The result, les Olympiens seventh consecutive loss, adds to the season of woe for Didier Deschamps’ men and will surely give rise to many asking for a change at the managerial helm.

With a trying schedule that will see five matches in two weeks, only to be followed with le classique against arch nemesis Paris Saint-Germain the Marseillais manager made seven changes to his most recent line-up, including the addition of André-Pierre Gignac into the starting fold. Held in nearby Caen at the stade Michel d’Ornano, Régis Brouard’s side played the role of the underdog to perfection and took the lead six minutes after the opening whistle as a long free-kick from the right into the box was nodded back to Julien Valéro who promptly slide a low effort to the opposite corner of the net. In front by one the soon to be giant killers were calm in defending with the only chance from l’OM coming moments before the break with goalkeeper Issa Coulibaly made a spellbinding spot of Rod Fanni’s effort that careened off Alexandre Vardin.

At the re-start, M. Deschamps replaced Charles Kaboré with est André Ayew but chances were sparse for much of the half. Shy of the hour André-Pierre Gignac delivered a low beaming set-piece from twenty-five metres that forced Issa Coulibaly to stretch out but otherwise few would guess the sides varied pedigree. With nary an attacking advance the final half-hour saw the Marseillais tactician added Loïc Rémy for Brandão and Morgan Amalfitano for André-Pierre Gignac in what would prove to be a decisive move. With victory in site for Quevilly, Loïc Rémy equalised at the eighty-fifth minute from six metres via André Ayew’s provision.

Extra time looked promising for l’OM until nine minutes remained in the second period when a flourishing attack on the right resulted in a perfect cross that Johan Ayina volleyed into the net. The legion of Quevilly supporters were silenced a minute later as André Ayew’s speculative cross was sent into the net by Loïc Rémy. Shocked by the score-line, with a penalty shoot-out looking most likely Quevilly notched with winner, albeit in highly controversial fashion as a free-kick saw l’OM goalkeeper Gennaro Bracigliano arguably interfered with in trying to parry the ball before Johan Ayina rifled the rebound into the net and send the Quevillais faithful into celebration with the 3-2 (a.e.t) victory.

Prepared by John Davies
©Europa League News, 2012
All rights reserved

Après le brillant succès en Ligue des Champions, l’OM est retourné à la réalité avec une défaite de 2-1 à Dijon au Stade Vélodrome la semaine vingt-huit Ligue 1. Avec le résultat, les Olympiens se situe au neuvième rang dans le tableau et accuse sept points de retard sur Lyonnais pour la très importante quatrième place.

Énergisés par leur succès,en milieu de semaine, Stéphane Mbia a réaffirmé que le succès en championnat français était une priorité, mais après un bon début, les Olympiens ont perdus cinq matchs consécutifs en Ligue 1. De l’alignement des onze de départ en Ligue des Champions, le entraîneurde l’OM, Didier Deschamps, a ajouté Brandão en faveur d’André Ayew, et a rapidement vu son équipe passer à l’attaque. À la onzième minute, les Olympiens étaient en position de force pour prendre une avance sur un centré de César Azpilicueta qui provoque Abdoulaye Meité a commettre une bourde avec le ballon et qui force l’arbitre Nicolas Rainville à décerner un pénalité. Dans l’effort qui a suivi, Loïc Rémy a chirurgiquement placé le ballon dans le filet pour soulever les fidèles partisans Marseillais de leurs pieds. L’avance ne sera que de courte durée, alors que douze minutes plus tard, après une erreur défensive permet à des Dijonnais de niveler la marque quand Thomas Guerbet reçoit le ballon à la gauche du filet, avant de glisser un centre, qui après avoir échoué à être dégagé par la défensive, a été envoyé dans le filet par Sankharé Younousse. Il ya des chances ont été modestes par la suite, avec le score reste 1-1 à la pause.

Les Marseillais a dominé immédiatement en début de deuxième demie avec des efforts menaçants de Brandão et Loïc Rémy,mais pas assez pour vaincre le gardien Baptiste Reynet. Les occasions manquées, joueront un rôle important dans le résultat final. À douze minutes de la fin, Koro Koné sera victime d’une infraction,dans le carré, par Nicolas N’Koulou,pour laquelle il sera expulsé en raison d’un carton rouge et Dijon va donc profiter d’un pénalité. Le jeune virtuose de vingt ans, Gaël Kakuta,va parvenir à battre le gardien Steve Mandanda pour prendre une avance que Dijon réussira à protéger. Les Olympiens est allé à la recherche du but égalisateur, mais en vain. Dijon réussit donc à arracher une victoire de 2-1.

Prepared by John Davies
©Europa League News, 2012
All rights reserved

After soaring with success in the Champions League, Olympique de Marseille came back to reality with a 2-1 loss to Dijon at Stade Vélodrome in week twenty-eight of Ligue 1. With the result, l’OM is ninth in the table and trails Lyonnais in the all important fourth place spot by a foreboding seven points.

Coming off their success midweek, Stéphane Mbia reaffirmed that domestic success was a priority but after a fine start they headed towards their fifth consecutive loss in Ligue 1. Making only one change to his starting eleven, l’OM manager Didier Deschamps added Brandão for André Ayew and quickly saw his side drive forward. At the eleventh minute les Olympiens were gifted the chance to take the lead as a cross from César Azpilicueta saw Abdoulaye Meite handle the ball to which referee Nicolas Rainville have no other choice but award a penalty. In the ensuing effort Loïc Rémy drove the ball into the net to bring the Marseillais faithful to their feet. Twelve minutes later a defending mishap allowed Dijon to level as a Thomas Guerbert got on the end of the through ball on the left before sliding a cross into the box that after failing to be cleared was sent into the net by Paris native Younousse Sankharé. Chances were modest thereafter with the score remaining 1-1 at the break.

l’OM appeared energised after the re-start with Brandão and Loïc Rémy posting menacing efforts but each was denied by Dijon goalkeeper Baptiste Reynet. Missed opportunities would be les Olympiens undoing as with twelve minutes remaining in regulation time Koro Koné was led through the right side of the area before being pulled down by Nicolas N’Koulou, to which the defender saw a red card and a penalty assessed. The ensuing effort resulted in twenty year-old virtuoso Gaël Kakuta driving the ball by l’OM goalkeeper Steve Mandanda for the lead Dijon would not relinquish. l’OM went in search of the equaliser but it could not be found and in the end Dijon claimed the 2-1 victory.

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

Avec un but magique de Brandão,en temps additionnel, les Olympiens réservé leur billet pour les quarts de finale de la Ligue des Champions avec 1-2 résultat (2-2 globale) face à Internazionale Milano à San Siro lors d’un duel éblouissant que peu oublieront.

Les Marseillais ont commencé sur une note positive avec Stéphane Mbia en superbe forme d’avant Inter ait manqué de prendre les devants à la onzième minute quand Javier Zanetti dirige le ballon pour Wesley Sniejder dont l’effort a été dévié sans danger pour le gardien Steve Mandanda. Les Nerazzurri ont gaspillé une autre chance de qualité trois minutes plus tard ,quand un centre de Wesley Sniejder à Diego Milito a entraîné un arrêt superbe du gardien de but l’OM. Après les occasions ratées en début de match,La défensive ,des Olympiens, était proche de la perfection et les hôtes étaient incapables d’afficher une autre menace d’attaque jusqu’à la pause.

Le reflet, de ce duel ,n’a pas changé après la pause, avec l’OM à l’aise à limiter les chances et attendre patiemment des opportunités lors de contre-attaques. Les chances se faisaient rares jusqu’aux quinze dernières minutes du match quand Marseille a concédé un coup de pied de coin à gauche et dans l’effort qui a suivi le ballon n’a pas été dégagé avant que Diego Milito a envoyé dans le filet à bout portant.Avec le temps supplémentaire, pourtant, à l’horizon, l’OM a frappé le but décisif à la deuxième minute du temps additionnel lorsque longue passe de Steve Mandanda a trouvé Brandão, mais par l’intermédiaire d’un rebond fortuit, gracieuseté de Lúcio avant de conduire le ballon passé Júlio César. Improbable, l’Inter a immédiatement riposté en passant la balle sur la droite a vu Giampaolo Pazzini retenu par Steve Mandanda qui a abouti à l’attribution d’un penalty et le gardien des Phocéens expulsé avec son second carton jaune. Dans l’effort qui a suivi, Giampaolo Pazzini touche les cordages vis à vis le substitut Gennaro Bracigliano, mais l’OM peut revendiquer la règle des buts et il met maintenant à sa disette de dix-neuf dans le quartier-finale de la Ligue des Champions.

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

With a magical added-time goal from Brandão, les Olympiens booked their ticket to the quarter finals of the Champions League with 1-2 result (2-2 aggregate) to Internazionale Milano at the San Siro Milano in a dazzling contest that few will forget.

The Marseillais started smartly with Stéphane Mbia proving to be in a fine from before Inter narrowly missed taking the lead at the eleventh minute as Javier Zanetti cut the ball back for Wesley Sniejder whose effort was deflected into the mitts of goalkeeper Steve Mandanda. The “Nerazzurri” squandered another fine chance three minutes later as a cross from Wesley Sniejder to Diego Milito resulted in another fine stop by the l’OM ‘keeper. Following those early chances the Marseille midfield was near perfect and the hosts were unable to post another notable attacking threat until the break.

The complexion of the contest did not change after the re-start, with l’OM comfortable at limiting chances and waiting patiently for opportunities in the counter attack. Chances were rare until the final fifteen minutes when Marseille conceded a corner to the left and in the ensuing effort the ball was not cleared before Diego Milito sent it into the net from close range. With extra time seemingly in the horizon, l’OM struck the decisive goal in the second minute when Steve Mandanda’s long pass found Brandão, albeit via a fortuitous bounce, who then navigated away from Lúcio before driving the ball past Júlio César. Improbably Inter immediately made their riposte as a through ball on the right saw Giampaolo Pazzini brought by Steve Mandanda that resulted in the awarding of a penalty and the les Phocéens goalkeeper sent off with his second yellow card. In the ensuing effort Giampaolo Pazzini sent the ball past Gennaro Bracigliano but as the final strike of the match l’OM claimed the aggregate courtesy of the away-goal rule and now brings to an end its nineteen year absence in the quarter-finals of the Champions League.

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

Sorrow fills the heart of the Marseillais as an eighty-ninth minute goal by Benjamin André saw Ajaccio defeat les Olympiens 1-0 at stade François Coty in the opening match of week twenty-seven of Ligue 1. With the three points the Corsican’s move from the relegation zone and are now at thirteenth place, whilst l’OM rests at eighth.

With three consecutive defeats, les Olympiens travelled to the beautiful island of Corsica desperate for a victory. From the start Didier Deschamps men dominated the opening half but failed to capitalise on their opportunities. In the first minute Brandão was unable to convert a good chance with the Brazilian’s close range effort stopped by AJA goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa eleven minutes later. The Corsicans began to add their own attacking advance midway of the half but l’OM goalkeeper Steve Mandana stopped efforts by Johan Cavalli and Eduardo. After a great start by the OM, Ajaccio started gaining confidence in their game, creating a number of oopportunites but like the visitors were unable to convert.
After the break, l’OM manager Didier Deschamps replaced Loïc Rémy for Morgan Amalfitano, with Mathieu Valbuena for Benoit Cheyrou at the sixty-fourth minute. Chances were rare until the eighty-fifth minute when Guillermo Ochoa made a dazzling stop on the goal line of Jordan Ayew. With a minute remaining, Anthony Lippini dispossessed Alou Diarra before sending the ball to Johan Cavalli on the right flank. The Corsican international centered a perfect cross for Andre Benjamin at the near post to score from close range for the 1-0 victory.
Prepared by John Davies
©Europa League News, 2011
All rights reserved

Tristesse remplit le cœur des Marseillais comme à la 89e but par Benjamin André a vu Ajaccio défaire les Olympiens 1-0 à stade François Coty dans le match d’ouverture de la vingt-sept journée de Ligue 1. Avec les trois points, les Corses se sortent de la zone de relégation et sont maintenant à la treizième place, tandis que l’OM reste à la 8e.

Avec trois défaites consecutives, les Olympiens sont rendus à la belle île de Corse désespéré pour une victoire. Dès le début du match les hommes de Didier Deschamps dominaient globalement le premier acte mais n’a pas à capitaliser sur leurs opportunités. Dans la première minute Brandão n’a pas pu convertir une bonne chance avec le brésilien effort de près arrêté par le gardien AJA Ochoa Guillermo Ochoa onze minutes plus tard. Les Corses ont commencé à ajouter leur propre milieu avant d’attaquer de la demi, mais l’OM le gardien Steve Mandana a arrêté ses efforts par Johan Cavalli et Eduardo. Après un gros début par l’OM, les Ajacciens ont commencé à pris confiance, en leur jeu, créant un number de occasions mais comme les visiteurs n’avons pas pu convertir.

Au retour des vestiaires, de entraîneur l’OM Didier Deschamps à remplacé Morgan Amalfitano avec Loïc Rémy et à Mathieu Valbuena pour Benoît Cheyrou à la 64e minute. Il ya des les chances ont été rares jusqu’à la 85e minute quand Guillermo Ochoa a fait un arrêt éblouissant sur la ligne de but de Jordan Ayew. Avec une minute de la fin, Anthony Lippini à dépossédé Alou Diarra avant le ballon à Johan Cavalli sur le flanc droit. La Corse internationale qui adresse un centres parfait à destination pour Benjamin André au premier poteau pour marquer à bout portant.

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

Olympique de Marseille took a giant step towards full “crisis mode” with a shocking 2-0 loss to Évian Thonon-Gaillard at Parc des Sports d’Annecy in a make-up contest originally scheduled for week twenty-three. With the result, l’OM is without a win in their four most recent domestic encounters and now sit eighth in the Ligue 1 table with the very firm realisation a place in the Champions League if not all the Europe Leauge is far from assured.

Entering the day, les Olympiens were in dire need of a victory after consecutive losses to Brest and the Toulousains. Without the services of Loïc Rémy and Mathieu Valbuena in the weekend loss the attack lacked venom and for the trying trip to what has quickly become the hosts’ stronghold l’OM manager Didier Deschamps made two changes to the most recent line-up with Nicolas N’Koulou and Charles Kaboré entering for César Azpilicueta and Brandão.

The early stages started on a positive step for Marseillais but after efforts from Benoît Cheyrou and André Ayew came up for naught shy of the quarter-hour, Jérôme Leroy served notice to his former employers that despite his advancing years there is still plenty of petrol in the tank. Courtesy of Côte d’Ivoire international Yannick Sagbo’s provision the thirty-seven year old volleyed the ball past l’OM keeper Steve Mandanda to send the near 15,000 in attendance into rapturous delight. A scant five minutes later the pink flags of Evian unfurled as Jérôme Leroy, albeit in a highly contentious offside position, latched onto Yannick Sagbo’s header and rifled the ball into the net. Now down by two les Olympiens found themselves in a hole and lacked the confidence against Pablo Correa’s well disciplined midfield with barely a notable advance through to the break.
The re-start saw play modest, if not spectacularly under control as l’OM was clearly lagging with Loïc Rémy and Mathieu Valbuena. Searching for way back into the contest M. Deschamps summoned Brandão for Charles Kaboré three minutes shy of the hour but service was lacking and with each push forward the Gaillard was ready on the counter attack. In the final quarter hour the l’OM tactician ushered in Chris Gadi and César Azpilicueta for André Ayew and Morgan Amalfitano but the mix was unable to open the hosts stingy defending. The final stages saw the pink flags unfurl with side that was not too long ago made up of amateurs on the verge of a major “scalp” and finally after an uneventful five minutes of added time match day referee Bartolomeu Varela sounded his whistle with Évian Thonon-Gaillard laying claim to the 2-0 result.

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

After seeing their extended unbeaten run come to an end last week Olympique de Marseille suffered their second consecutive defeat as they succumbed 1-0 to Toulouse at Stade Vélodrome in week twenty-six of the Ligue 1 campaign. With the result les Olympiens stumble to eighth in the table and now face serious concern of missing a berth on the European stage, whilst Toulouse sit level with Saint-Étienne at the fourth spot.

Facing the ultra defensive minded Toulousains 4-1-4-1 formation, l’OM manager Didier Deschamps made three changes to his line-up, welcoming back André Ayew, as well as Souleymane Diawara and Alou Diarra for Nicolas N’Koulou, Charles Kaboré and playmaker extraordinaire Mathieu Valbuena. Alain Casanova’s Toulouse, by far the best defending unit in Ligue 1 with a misery twenty-three goals allowed, started smartly with Étienne Didot and Étienne Capoue combining before the latter saw his effort drift off-course. Following the brief advance the opening forty-five minutes showed plenty of pace between the boxes but little venom thereafter and neither goalkeeper stirred from the winter slumber as the contest went to the break level at nil.

The re-start was less that sterling for the Marseillais with the visitors showing greater intent and gradually, albeit a small nibble at a time, carve out opportunities. Seeing his side lacking in attack, M. Deschamps called upon André-Pierre Gignac for Jordan Ayew to see if the out of favour striker could summon his scoring touch against his former club. However, l’OM’s efforts were put to the test six minutes past the hour as Étienne Didot latched onto Serge Aurier’s long provision and with only goalkeeper Steve Mandanda to beat he saw his effort pushed over the bar to concede a corner. In the ensuing set piece from the right Étienne Didot picked out Aymen Abdennour who raised high past Souleymane Diawara to powerfully nod the ball into the near corner. The Marseillais tactician quickly added Charles Kaboré for André Ayew as his side went in search for the leveller but Toulouse was comfortable in protecting their advantage. With just under twenty minutes remaining in regulation time Morgan Amalfitano was presented the ball in a high probability range but his effort was denied by Ali Ahamada and l’OM without the services of Loïc Rémy and Mathieu Valbuena were lacking going forward. For the balance of play, l’OM suggested little venom and with the final whistle Toulouse laid claim to the 1-0 victory.

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

Olympique de Marseille’s charge towards a Champions League spot met a costly roadblock as their seventeen match unbeaten run ended with a shocking 1-0 defeat to Stade Brestois at Stade Francis Le Blé in match-day twenty-five of the Ligue 1 campaign. With the result, l’OM slip to the eighth spot in the table, three points shy of Saint-Étienne in the all-important fourth place.

Coming off the last gasp victory over Internazionale in the Champions League mid-week, les Olympiens manager Didier Deschamps made four changes to his starting eleven with Rod Fanni, Charles Kaboré and Jordan Ayew for Souleymane Diawara, Alou Diarra and André Ayew, as well as welcoming back André-Pierre Gignac to the fold with a stop on the bench. After a first minute penalty call after Brandão was brought down was waived off inexplicably by match-day referee Ruddy Buquet, the hosts began to show up-tempo play and forced l’OM ‘keeper Steve Mandanda to be at his past. Just past the half a defending miscue Benoît Lesoimier delivered a seemingly goal-bound effort that the Marseille ‘keeper pushed away for a corner. From the result effort on the right, Bruno Grougi picked out Paul Baysse choosing the perfect time for his first goal of the campaign as he raised high to head the ball into the net. In search of the leveller, l’OM came within a hushed whisper just past the half-hour as Brandão headed Jordan Ayew’s cross off the woodwork. The goal-scorer served his side well on the other end of the pitch as moments shy of the break he leapt to attention to pull Mathieu Valbuena’s effort off the line with Brest taking the slim margin to change rooms.

Pushing forward after the break l’OM found the sledding harsh against Brest who had dug in to protect the lead. Just past the hour, M. Deschamps signalled André Ayew to take Brandão’s sport with André-Pierre Gignac entering for Morgan Amalfitano with seventeen minutes remaining in regulation time. The balance of time was one-way traffic with l’OM in complete control with the exception of Brest ‘keeper Steeve Elana in the finest of form. With sublime stops of Mathieu Valbuena and André Ayew, the hosts maintained their advantage as time ticked down and in the second minutes of added-time Rod Fanni’s header was cleared off the line by Eden Ben Basat to provide Stade Brestois the shocking 1-0 victory.

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