How did OM manage to concede this goal at the end of added time, when the draw offered them at least the consolation of a place in the Europa League in February?

A bad pass, the legs which no longer respond when it was time to fall back and the strike from the Dane Höjbjerg which comes, post returning, to bury OM's European season at the end of a match which is nevertheless really courageous (2-1, 90 +5) and that the Marseillais tried to win until the end, maybe too much.

The regrets will be all the greater since a few minutes earlier, Kolasinac with a header had had a golden opportunity to offer victory and qualification to Marseille.

OM therefore still stumble in the Champions League, this competition too big for them since the quarter-final reached by Didier Deschamps' team in 2012.

Bailly wounded

The draw had given rise to hope, two successes against Sporting Portugal kept it going, but OM, in the end, are in their place, because they were unable to beat anyone other than the Portuguese, who played twice 70 minutes at 10.

Tottenam players celebrate their victory against Marseille (2-1), synonymous with qualification for the knockout stages of the Champions League, on November 1, 2022 at the Vélodrome stadium in Marseille.

CHRISTOPHE SIMON AFP

His record of six points is better than in 2013 (six defeats) and in 2020 (five defeats and a victory), but he is still not brilliant in a group without European cador, which finally qualifies Tottenham and Frankfurt.

Procession of Neapolitan scooters and a hedge of smoke bombs as the bus passed, a giant tifo in the South Bend and a devilish racket from the kick-off, Marseille had nevertheless done things big for "his" OM and this "match of the year" promised by Igor Tudor.

And the Croatian players answered the call with a high-level first half, where they played bravely by immediately placing themselves very high and consciously exposing themselves to the threat of the Kane-Son duo.

This one hovered only 25 minutes, until the exit of the South Korean, completely knocked out after an aerial duel with Mbemba.

But OM also had their share of problems, with Bailly leaving in the 8th minute.

A talented and crystal player, the Ivorian defender was clearly not yet recovered from the muscular problem which had already forced him to leave before the break against Paris SG.

This twist of fate did not slow down the Marseillais who multiplied the opportunities, forcing Lloris to several important stops, in particular in front of Sanchez (19th) and Veretout (33rd).

blow on the head

OM finally found the entrance on a naughty corner won by Harit.

Veretout's perfect cross was taken over with an exceptional whim by Mbemba, a stroke of genius in Marseille's summer recruitment, and OM were ahead (45+2).

Olympique de Marseille defender Sead Kolasinac (g) sees his head graze the post of Hugo Lloris (d), during OM's defeat against Tottenham (2-1) in the Champions League, the 1st November 2022 at the Vélodrome stadium in Marseille.

CHRISTOPHE SIMON AFP

At this moment, the English, who had just played a first period without any ambition, were eliminated.

Tottenham could not therefore continue like this and we then understood that for OM, everything would be less easy when their opponents decided to play.

Pau Lopez first narrowly saved his people with a nice movement Bentancur-Kane but he could not do anything on the head of Lenglet, who too easily got the better of Rongier after a free kick from Perisic (54th , 1-1).

Tottenham then regained the point they needed to qualify, while OM's situation evolved depending on the result of the other match.

Tudor made offensive changes, Sanchez was still dangerous (82nd), Kolasinac even more so, but Marseille let Höjbjerg play and ruined everything.

OM now only have the championship and already a very big meeting on Sunday against Lyon.

He approaches it after taking a huge blow to the head on Tuesday and weighed down by a series of four defeats and a draw in all competitions.

© 2022 AFP