Marseilles (AFP)

Courageous and finally less fragile, Marseille prepared for the arrival of its future coach Jorge Sampaoli by defeating Lyon (1-1) on Sunday at the Stade Vélodrome during the 27th day of Ligue 1, thus frustrating Rudi Garcia's team, which slipped to third place in the standings.

Under the eyes of their unexpected neo-president Pablo Longoria, OM went on to a fourth game in a row without defeat in the league, confirming the slightest glimpse since the start of Nasser Larguet's interim.

While there was nearly 20 points at the kick-off between the two teams, the Provencal club also put OL in difficulty, who are still aiming for the title but who had a bad weekend, with Paris SG who passed him and Monaco (4th) who got closer to one point only by beating Brest.

At the Vélodrome, however, it was the Lyonnais who very logically opened the scoring in the 21st minute by Toko-Ekambi, after an impeccable collective movement orchestrated by Paqueta and enhanced by Aouar, whose subtle deviation gave the Cameroonian a position perfect shot.

This goal rewarded a first quarter of an hour without spark but completely mastered by the players of Rudi Garcia, much safer technically, more mobile, quite simply much better.

Curiously, after these first 20 minutes of empty, OM began to exist in the wake of the Lyon goal.

Thauvin thus placed a header above (34th) then stumbled on Cornet when adjusting Lopes (38th).

Larguet's players were not doing anything extraordinary at the time, but with the help of Lyonnais who were suddenly passive, they were back in the game.

And by dint of approaching, the Marseillais had an opportunity to return, in the form of a penalty whistled for a hand from Paqueta on a powerful strike from Gueye.

- Paqueta expelled -

Finally back after five games of absence, Milik calmly transformed with a perfect left strike in the small net of Lopes (1-1, 44th).

Before that, for his first at the Vélodrome and on his 27th birthday, the Pole had discovered the harsh condition of a center-forward at OM, a mission which consists in running, above all, in playing a few duels and not often have the right to play ball.

The rest of the match was balanced, technically imperfect but often lively, as when Khaoui responded with a half-volley from close range (57th) to a nice dry strike from Depay (56th).

But in the end no one really put himself in a position to win, even if Depay scored a goal, canceled for a very clear offside position (84th).

OM for their part did not really take advantage of the last 20 minutes played in numerical superiority after the expulsion of Paqueta, warned for the second time for a hard sole on Payet (71st).

But in the current context, the Marseillais will no doubt welcome this point with satisfaction, which still leaves them far, in 7th place.

In the press release announcing Friday the withdrawal of Jacques-Henri Eyraud, the promotion of Longoria and the arrival of Sampaoli, the American owner of OM Frank McCourt announced that the club was beginning "a new chapter in its great history".

The chapter in question therefore began with a draw, but the next pages promise to be fascinating: McCourt is expected from Monday in Marseille for meetings with supporters and political and economic leaders of the city.

Then, maybe Tuesday, it will be Sampaoli's turn to land.

© 2021 AFP