Amine Gouiri’s Impressive Debut for Marseille
Amine Gouiri, the new signing from Rennes, finally broke his scoring drought for Marseille on Saturday, netting two goals as his new club trounced Saint-Etienne 5-1 at the historic Velodrome stadium. Gouiri, an Algerian international who has been making waves with his performances, provided a spark that Marseille had been craving, delivering a memorable performance that won the hearts of the home fans. His first goal came just before halftime, giving Roberto De Zerbi’s team a single-goal advantage to take into the break. This opener not only boosted morale but also set the stage for a dominant second half, where Marseille showed no mercy to the struggling visitors.
Greenwood’s Continued Brilliance and Marseille’s Strong Showing
Five minutes into the second half, Mason Greenwood stepped up to the penalty spot and calmly slotted the ball past the Saint-Etienne goalkeeper, doubling the lead. Greenwood, who has been in scintillating form this season, now boasts 14 Ligue 1 goals, a tally second only to Paris Saint-Germain’s Ousmane Dembele, who leads the league with 16. Amir Murillo added a third goal, ensuring that the mood at the Velodrome was nothing short of euphoric. Gouiri then secured his brace, making it 4-0 and effectively sealing the victory. Adrien Rabiot, who has been on a scoring spree of his own, rounded off the scoring with a fifth goal, marking his third consecutive game with a goal. Despite Lucas Stassin’s consolation strike for Saint-Etienne, the damage was already done, and Marseille walked away with a convincing win.
Saint-Etienne’s Struggles and Ligue 1 Implications
Saint-Etienne, a club with a rich history, remains in the bottom three of Ligue 1, facing the very real threat of relegation. The 5-1 defeat at the hands of Marseille was a harsh reminder of their current struggles and the work needed to climb out of the relegation zone. Their defensive frailties were exposed, and the attack failed to generate enough pressure to make a meaningful comeback. This loss puts even more pressure on the team, who will need to find a way to turn their fortunes around quickly to avoid a return to Ligue 2.
Mika Biereth’s Hat-Trick and Monaco’s Stunning Victory
On the same day, Monaco also had a day to remember, thrashing Nantes 7-1 in a display that showcased their attacking prowess. Danish striker Mika Biereth, who joined Monaco from Sturm Graz in Austria in January, was the star of the show, bagging a hat-trick for the second consecutive home Ligue 1 game. Biereth, known for his clinical finishing and agile movements, equalized early after Matthis Abline had given Nantes a shock lead. The former Arsenal youth product then put Monaco ahead with a goal in first-half stoppage time. His impact was felt throughout the match, and his second and third goals, including a penalty, solidified his reputation as a rising star in the league.
Contributions from the Squad and Monaco’s Form
Monaco’s victory was not just about Biereth’s hat-trick. Japanese international Takumi Minamino, who has been a consistent performer for the club, also found the back of the net, contributing to the rout. Eliesse Ben Seghir added a fourth goal, ensuring that the match was well out of reach for Nantes. The game wrapped up with two late goals from teenage Nigerian substitute George Ilenikhena, who made the most of his opportunity off the bench. This comprehensive win not only boosted morale but also came at a crucial time, following Monaco’s 1-0 home loss to Benfica in the first leg of their Champions League play-off tie. The team will be looking to carry this momentum into their upcoming match against Benfica on Tuesday, where they will aim to overturn the deficit and secure a place in the next round of the competition.
Marseille and Monaco’s Position in the League
Marseille remain in contention for the title, now seven points behind leaders and reigning champions Paris Saint-Germain. Before PSG play Toulouse later on Saturday, Marseille’s performance has put them in a strong position to challenge for the top spot. The team’s consistency and depth, particularly in attack, have been key to their success. Meanwhile, Monaco, six points behind Marseille, also showed their strength with this emphatic win. The result puts them in a good position to challenge for a top-four finish, which would secure Champions League qualification. Both teams are now well-prepared for their respective upcoming challenges, with Marseille aiming to close the gap on PSG and Monaco focused on their European campaign and maintaining their momentum in the league.
