In a somewhat complicated period in terms of the game as well as the results, OM aspired to qualify and to do so, if possible, without too many twists and turns or heartaches.

It was successful for the first part, but the match was still marked by a real rarity, almost forgotten at the time of the VAR, a goal scored with the hand, very clearly, like the famous "Hand of Vata" which eliminated OM in the semi-finals of the European Cup of Champion Clubs in 1990.

In the 34th minute, Qarabag striker Ibrahima Wadji indeed managed a fine volleyball smash to deceive Mandanda after a cross from the left.

The gesture was clear but no referee saw it and, problem, there is no VAR in the Europa League Conference.

So the Marseillais protested, shouted, cursed and took a few yellow cards in passing.

But they insisted, in particular Mattéo Guendouzi, furious, and Wadji finally left to discuss with his trainer Gurban Gurbanov.

They then exchanged a few words with Polish referee Bartosz Frankowski, who canceled the goal and gave OM a free kick.

This gesture of fair play brought down the atmosphere a little, which had then become fiery.

By opening the scoring in the 12th minute, OM thought they had seriously dampened Azerbaijani enthusiasm.

The goal in question was scored by Pape Gueye, who returned from CAN with the status of African champion and the confidence of a boss, after a great action launched by Caleta-Car then Rongier and Payet.

Senegalese midfielder from Marseille Pape Gueye overwhelms his counterpart from Qarabag (Azerbaijan) Gara Garayev, in the round of 16 first leg of the Europa League Conference, on February 17, 2022 at the Stade Vélodrome NICOLAS TUCAT AFP / Archives

Troyes and the draw

But between this great action and the one, also pretty, which led to the second goal signed Guendouzi (77th), OM really did not offer much to Baku.

The Provençals however further increased the score in additional time by De La Fuente (90th + 2), who came into play.

But while the first leg had greatly displeased Jorge Sampaoli, who had deemed his team "overwhelmed", it was still often on the return leg, despite the very dense 5-4-1 posed by the Argentine technician in the defensive phase.

Argentinian coach of Marseille Jorge Sampaloi discusses with his players, during the round of 16 first leg of the Europa League Conference against Qarabag (Azerbaijan), on February 17, 2022 at the Stade Vélodrome NICOLAS TUCAT AFP / Archives

Qarabag, on the other hand, has been regularly dangerous and one of the positive points of this C4 barrage has been to confirm that even if he plays less, Mandanda remains very efficient.

Sampaoli, however, had finally turned little, leaving on the bench among the usual holders only Pau Lopez, Under and Milik, one of his favorite victims.

Neither very enthusiastic in the game nor very efficient, sometimes crossed by some tensions as shown by the recent declarations of Milik, Alvaro or Payet inviting his people to "deflate their heads", OM is obviously going through a rather gray period that this qualification will perhaps enlighten.

Because the Provençal club respects its schedule.

Second in Ligue 1, he will go to Troyes on Sunday to keep his position and make people forget his nasty defeat on Sunday against Clermont (2-0).

By then, he will know his next opponent in the round of 16 of the Europa League Conference.

The journey will be less distant for his supporters - they were a little more than 150 brave people to have made the trip to Baku - but the level of adversity is likely to rise further.

© 2022 AFP