Olympique de Marseille kicked off their Ligue 1 campaign at Stade Vélodrome with a hard-fought 2-2 draw, honours even, with visiting Sochaux-Montbéliard.

Didier Deschamps’ side, without the services of key striker André-Pierre Gignac, came out with the as expected attacking vision of Loïc Rémy up top with Morgan Amalfitano and Andre Ayew on the right and left flanks respectively. With supporters in full song, l’OM attacked quickly with former Porto man Lucho González carving out a fine chance for Loïc Rémy at the third minute but the twenty-four year old attacker saw his effort from just inside the area brilliantly denied by Sochaux goalkeeper Teddy Richert who stretched out to his left. The hosts continued to show their pedigree with Loïc Rémy in prime position on the right side of the midway of the half but he turned the chance well wide of the opposite post and Sochaux breathed another day. l’OM continued to press and after a further effort was denied Lucho González took matters in his own capable hands seven minute shy of the break when he sent a booming volley from just outside the area into the net to give his side the one-goal advantage after the break.

Marseille looked to gaining confidence with Lucho González forcing the visiting ‘keeper into a top-shelf stop at the forty-eighth minute via Rod Fanni that rasped off his mitts before striking the post and going to safety. Traffic continued as a one-way street with Morgan Amalfitano unable to convert after a solid run saw him navigate past a number of defenders. However two minutes shy of the hour l’OM squandered the lead as Sebastien Corchia was provided too much space on the left before he delivered a low cross to the back post that French international Marvin Martin met perfectly to send to the near post. Now level, Mehmed Baždarević’s side went in-front 2-0 with twenty minutes remaining in regulation time once again taking advantage of lax defending as Ryad Boudebouz’s held court near the just outside the area before drawing the ball back to Vincent Nogueira to drive in from eighteen metres. l’OM’s hunt for the leveller did not last long as three minutes later Mathieu Valbuena’s corner from the left was nodded in by Loïc Rémy and without further incident the match concluded as a 2-2 draw, honours even.

Prepared by John Davies
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