A missed opportunity.

Igor Tudor's players, who had won their last six league matches, were slowed down by ASM, which they lead by five points in the standings, after a match where each team dominated a period .

The gap between Lens (second), Marseille (third) and Monaco (fourth) therefore does not change.

The three teams are still on seven points, while Paris Saint-Germain will have the opportunity to take a five-point lead over the Northerners if they beat Reims on Sunday (8:45 p.m.).

At the Stade Vélodrome, the Marseillais were jostled by the Monegasques during the first 45 minutes, conceding a number of clear chances because of an assumed but risky imbalance.

The Marseillais continued to discover themselves after the opener against his camp by Jordan Veretout, who deflected a cross from Golovin (17th) into his own cages, and could have been led more widely in the score if Wissam Ben Yedder had been more precise.

Clumsy Ben Yedder

The ASM captain crossed his shot too much when he was in a very good position in the penalty area (17th), then he missed a duel with Alexander Nübel by choosing to steal the ball above the German (29th).

Monaco players celebrate the own goal of Olympique de Marseille midfielder (1-1) Jordan Veretout (1-1), during the 20th day of Ligue 1, Saturday January 28, 2023 at the Stade Vélodrome in Marseilles © CLEMENT MAHOUDEAU / AFP

The trend was completely reversed after half-time: the Marseillais largely dominated in the wake of the equalizer from Alexis Sanchez (47th), well placed to resume a mediocre intervention from Nübel.

The Chilean was omnipresent, tremendously selfless in a very rhythmic and pleasant match.

At his side, Nuno Tavares also multiplied and tried a lot, in vain.

Leonardo Balerdi narrowly missed giving OM the lead, when his point-blank header led the ball over the crossbar, then Sead Kolasinac struck over (73rd).

Despite this draw, Marseille fans still have reason to rejoice: the club announced a little earlier on Saturday an "agreement in principle" with Angers to bring in Moroccan midfielder Azzedine Ounahi.

Lens does not chain

In the afternoon, Lens had been held in check at Troyes (1-1), confirming a trend: the Sang et Or have failed to chain two league victories since the post-World Cup resumption.

RC Lens midfielder Adrien Thomasson savors his equalizing goal against Troyes (1-1) during the 20th day of Ligue 1 on Saturday January 28 at the Aube stadium in Troyes © Geoffroy VAN DER HASSELT / AFP

At the Stade de l'Aube, Frank Haise's players were even behind for most of the match.

A cross shot from the left foot of Yasser Larouci (50th) allowed Troyes to open the scoring, while Estac could have benefited from a penalty a few moments earlier.

Lens then dominated weakly, and continued their efforts without finding the fault because of awkwardness in front of the goals.

It was finally the winter rookie from Strasbourg, Adrien Thomasson, who managed to equalize by being in the right place at the right time (88th) at the conclusion of a confused action, like the Lensois match.

What regrets for Troyes, who had the opportunity to double the bet by Rony Lopes twice: after a tumble from Mama Baldé first (77th), then in the area in the wake of a counter (85th) , but his right foot strikes - his bad foot - flew away.

Lens pushed, getting a last chance by Przemyslaw Frankowski, who chose to strike rather than cross, while his teammates were numerous in the Trojan penalty area.

But Lens finally retained its place as Ligue 1 runner-up.

© 2023 AFP