Ligue 1: OM still can’t do it, the MHSC continues its momentum

Can we dream of the Champions League and never win at home? Held in check 1-1 by Montpellier on Friday evening at the Stade Vélodrome, OM again disappointed in front of their public and thus weakened their second place in L1. So strong on the outside, Olympique de Marseille therefore remains horribly unremarkable at home, where they have not won since the beginning of January and a 3-1 success against Lorient. Since then, Igor Tudor’s team has only taken three points in five games played at La Canebière: three draws and two defeats. Cheap…

⏱ 90+5′ | #OMMHSC 1️⃣-1️⃣

End of the game. Our Olympians concede a draw against MHSC.

? Next meeting next Sunday at Moustoir? @fcliorient. pic.twitter.com/sUqj7eY0xf

– Olympique de Marseille (@OM_Officiel) March 31, 2023

Difficult under these conditions to believe the title possible, even in the event of the collapse of its best enemy, Paris-SG. And as for several weeks, it is rather behind them that the Marseillais look. They see the Lensois there, who will play in Rennes on Saturday and who are only three lengths away.

While waiting for the rest, there is not much to save from the part delivered by Ohème, never mastered and which could certainly have switched to the side of Montpellier (11^e), with decidedly renewed solidity. Thank you Der Zak’ by the way!

It’s over in Marseille.
Our Montpellier residents bring back the point of the draw.
⚽️ 13′ @NordinArnaud

⚡️ #OMMHSC 1⃣-1⃣ pic.twitter.com/WqaCWzz3RX

— MHSC (@MontpellierHSC) March 31, 2023

With several players returning tired from their selection, without Pau Lopez, sick this week and too weak, but with the surprise Vitinha, lined up in front of Ruslan Malinovskyi and Alexis Sanchez, OM thus experienced a very difficult first period. From the 12^e minute, Montpellier validated their good start to the match with an opener by Arnaud Nordin, a goal scored after a counterattack launched by a powerful run from Wahbi Khazri and after a very long video check.

Despite Payet

OM then played without rhythm and without accuracy, which was rather on the side of Khazri, Elye Wahi or Téji Savanier. The formation of Tudor, always borrowed from home, even went through a few moments of real panic, even great nonsense, when Montpellier launched their counter-attacks. Also, just before the break, the Marseillais nevertheless came back to score, thanks to a penalty conceded by the very Parisian Mamadou Sakho, whose entry on the lawn, flocked jersey of N.75, in place of Kiki Kouyaté rang, had been greeted a little earlier by a thunderous bronca.

On a recovery from Sanchez, the former Parisian touched the ball with his elbow and was sanctioned. While Jordan Veretout and Sanchez were discussing who would try to convert, it was Mattéo Guendouzi who took the ball and left them no choice: by hitting a cross into Benjamin Lecomte’s small-net, he handed the OM at height (1-1, 44th).

After the break, from badly played shots to unsteady passes, OM did not offer much more. Vitinha, again not very convincing, was not dangerous and Dimitri Payet, who played the last quarter of an hour, could not change things either.

In the end, it was even Montpellier who came closest to success when Khazri pardoned OM by shooting wide when he was in an excellent position (66).

THE @RCLens will have the opportunity to pass in front of the@OM_Official tomorrow ?

? The detailed classification? https://t.co/q9qihS6r0b pic.twitter.com/zsJTNndYxR

— Ligue 1 Uber Eats (@Ligue1UberEats) March 31, 2023

Next week, the Marseillais will go to Lorient, very, very far from this Vélodrome where they are no longer advancing. It might do them good, but that home weakness could end up being a deal breaker.