Dominant Display: Marseille Clinch a Stunning 5-1 Victory
Olympique de Marseille’s (OM) bid for a Champions League spot received a significant boost with an emphatic 5-1 victory over AS Saint-Étienne at the Vélodrome on Saturday afternoon. Roberto De Zerbi’s side, brimming with confidence, secured their third consecutive win in Ligue 1, showcasing a masterclass in attacking football against a struggling Stéphanois lineup. The match was a testament to OM’s growing momentum under De Zerbi, who has transformed the team into a formidable force in the league.
First Half: Initial Bright Spots and Setbacks
The match kicked off under a sunny Marseille sky, with OM immediately taking control of the proceedings. Captain Leonardo Balerdi had the hosts thinking they had opened the scoring early on, but the referee, after consulting VAR, ruled the goal out due to excessive contact on ASSE’s goalkeeper, Gautier Larsonneur. Despite the setback, OM’s attacking prowess remained undeterred. Mason Greenwood and Adrien Rabiot both had promising chances, with Larsonneur making a crucial save to deny Greenwood at close range and Rabiot narrowly missing a shot over the bar. However, the breakthrough came through one of OM’s newest stars, Amine Gouiri. The Algerian, who has already made a significant impact with three assists, curled a stunning effort from about 20 yards out, leaving Larsonneur with no chance. By halftime, OM had established a clear dominance, with ASSE struggling to mount any coherent offensive plays.
Second Half: Marseille’s Unstoppable Frenzy
The second half saw OM’s attack continue to flourish, and Gouiri was once again at the heart of the action. Early in the half, he drove into the box and his cross deflected off Mickaël Nadé’s arm, leading to a penalty call after VAR review. Greenwood confidently converted the penalty, doubling OM’s lead. The floodgates opened from there. Despite Larsonneur’s efforts to make a couple of saves from Gouiri and Merlin, Saint-Étienne’s defense was disarrayed, allowing Amir Murillo to tap home into an open net for the third goal. Gouiri then added his second with a deft chip, following a defensive error that saw him one-on-one with Larsonneur. Adrien Rabiot completed the rout with a header from debutant Amar Dedic’s cross, sealing his fifth goal of the season and reinforcing OM’s attacking capabilities.
Struggling Saint-Étienne: A Defense in Disarray
AS Saint-Étienne, already reeling from consecutive defeats, found themselves overwhelmed by the relentless pace and precision of OM’s attack. Larsonneur, despite making a couple of impressive saves, conceded five goals, largely due to the chaotic state of his defense. Mickaël Nadé’s arm deflection leading to the penalty was just one of many defensive errors that plagued the team. Pierre Ekwah and Léo Petrot were unable to provide the stability needed, and the entire backline looked disjointed and vulnerable. Benjamin Bouchouari and Florian Tardieu struggled to keep up with the high tempo, while Augustine Boakye and Zuriko Davitashvili were similarly ineffective. Lucas Stassin’s consolation goal, scored after OM’s defense made a rare mistake, was a mere flicker of hope in an otherwise dire performance.
Player Ratings: Marseille’s Stellar Performers
Géronimo Rulli – 6: The goalkeeper had a relatively quiet afternoon, making a few routine saves and ensuring that AS Saint-Étienne’s rare goal attempts were well managed.
Quentin Merlin – 4: Merlin’s performance was somewhat underwhelming, and he was often bypassed by the opposition’s attacks, contributing little to OM’s dominant display.
Leonardo Balerdi – 6: The captain’s initial effort was disallowed, but he continued to lead the defense effectively, providing a solid base despite occasional challenges.
Derek Cornelius – 5: Cornelius put in a steady performance, contributing to the defensive efforts without standing out in a particularly demanding match.
Amir Murillo – 6: Murillo, often overlooked, has quietly become one of OM’s most reliable defenders. His ability to be in the right place at the right time was highlighted by his simple yet crucial goal, further solidifying his role in the team.
Pierre-Emile Højbjerg – 5: Højbjerg’s midfield presence was crucial, driving OM’s passing play and maintaining a steady flow of possession. His partnership with Ismaël Bennacer is growing stronger, allowing Rabiot more freedom to attack.
Adrien Rabiot – 7: Rabiot’s ability to link up play effectively with the attackers was evident, and he capitalized on a well-placed cross to score his fifth goal of the season, showcasing his dual role in both defense and attack.
Ismaël Bennacer – 6: Bennacer built on his solid debut at Angers, demonstrating his playmaking skills and forming a strong bond with Højbjerg. His presence in the midfield was stabilizing and helped to control the tempo of the game.
Mason Greenwood – 6: Greenwood’s versatility and build-up play were on display, and his penalty conversion was a timely and confident finish, further contributing to OM’s commanding lead.
Amine Gouiri – 8: Gouiri’s impact since joining OM has been nothing short of spectacular. His stunning first goal and deft chip for the fourth were moments of sheer brilliance, and his overall performance was a key factor in the team’s victory.
Luis Henrique – 5: While not as prominent as some of his teammates, Henrique provided a solid performance, contributing to the team’s efforts without a standout moment.
Player Ratings: Saint-Étienne’s Struggles
Gautier Larsonneur – 4: Larsonneur’s performance was marred by the five goals he conceded, although much of the blame lies with the defensive errors around him. He made a few good saves but was ultimately let down by his team’s defensive lapses.
Mickaël Nadé – 3: Nadé’s handball in the box leading to a penalty was a significant blunder. His overall defensive performance was poor, and he struggled to cope with OM’s relentless pressure.
Pierre Ekwah – 4: Ekwah put in a lackluster performance, failing to provide the necessary support to his teammates and making several defensive mistakes that contributed to Saint-Étienne’s downfall.
Léo Petrot – 3: Petrot’s inability to contain OM’s attackers was evident, and his defensive lapses were a key factor in the high number of goals conceded.
Dylan Batubinsika – 3: Batubinsika’s performance was marked by inconsistency and errors, making it difficult for the team to maintain any semblance of defensive structure.
Benjamin Bouchouari – 3: Bouchouari was often out of position and struggled to keep up with the pace and skill of OM’s forward line.
Florian Tardieu – 3: Tardieu’s defensive shortcomings were evident, and he failed to provide the necessary cover or challenge to disrupt OM’s attacking rhythm.
Augustine Boakye – 4: Boakye’s efforts were commendable but not enough to stop the onslaught. He showed some flashes of skill but was ultimately overshadowed by the team’s defensive woes.
Zuriko Davitashvili – 4: Davitashvili’s performance was similarly underwhelming, with several defensive errors contributing to AS Saint-Étienne’s struggles.
Lucas Stassin – 6: Stassin’s consolation goal was a rare bright spot for Saint-Étienne. Despite the team’s overall poor performance, he managed to score and provided some moments of offensive promise.
A Glimpse into the Future
OM’s performance at the Vélodrome underscores their growing strength and the effectiveness of Roberto De Zerbi’s tactics. The team’s ability to seamlessly integrate new signings like Gouiri and Dedic, while maintaining a cohesive and aggressive style, is a clear indicator of their ambitions. For AS Saint-Étienne, the loss highlights the urgent need for defensive reinforcements and tactical adjustments. The Stéphanois will need to regroup and find solutions to their current vulnerabilities if they hope to avoid further setbacks in the league. As the season progresses, OM’s form and confidence suggest they are well on their way to securing a spot in the Champions League, while AS Saint-Étienne must address their shortcomings to avoid a disastrous campaign.
