Marseille's players celebrate after scoring a goal during the French L1 football match between Olympique de Marseille (OM) and OGC Nice at the Velodrome Stadium in Marseille, southern France on February 17, 2021. (Photo by CLEMENT MAHOUDEAU / AFP) -

AFP

  • Olympique de Marseille won for the first time in a month in the league against OGC Nice (3-2), Wednesday evening in a late match of the 11th day of Ligue 1.

  • Saïf-Eddine Khaoui, holder for the first time since he joined OM, scored twice, his first goals with Marseille.

  • This victory allows OM to move up to 6th place, one point behind Rennes.

At the Velodrome stadium,

A victory and great emotion.

Olympique de Marseille won 3-2 Wednesday night against OGC Nice in a late match for the 11th day of Ligue 1. A success built thanks to the new offensive power of OM, and a lot of novelty introduced by Nasser Larguet.

The Olympian coach had chosen to line up an unprecedented composition, with the young Dieng, 20, at the forefront of the attack, supported by Luis Henrique, 19, and Saïf-Eddine Khaoui, 26.

After a first goal from Alvaro, a volley of full skylight to make Benedetto and Germain pale, Saïf-Eddine Khaoui returned the confidence finally granted by an OM coach.

Dimitri Payet, a good (!) Playmaker, followed the young Henrique, full of impact, who intelligently served Khaoui in withdrawal.

The Franco-Tunisian had just hit the bar on a similar action a few minutes before, but he didn't tremble this time.

And he allowed OM to take off, with a double in the second half.

His first two goals with the Olympian jersey.

"This chance to be able to play"

An extremely rare thing since the start of the season due to Covid-19, the player presented himself, very moved, at a press conference.

A rarity to match its performance.

“I had the chance to be able to play and show my qualities.

I am very grateful to Nasser [Larguet].

I have been waiting for this luck for a long time.

I savor a lot, with a lot of emotion, ”he said.

Arrived in Marseille in 2016, then loaned to Troyes and Caen, Saïf-Eddine Khaoui was, Wednesday evening, holder for the first time with OM.

Sometimes came into play, he played the firefighters on the left side of the defense with André Villas-Boas.

“I'm very happy for Khaoui, I took him out of the closet a bit.

He is serious, hard-working, I have never seen him complain.

I had started him in Auxerre [in the Coupe de France], he showed me that we could count on him, ”congratulated his new coach.

"Since the time that I was waiting in my heart club"

A nice break in the doldrums that have surrounded OM in recent days with the conflict between Jacques-Henri Eyraud.

"Since the time that I expected that in this club, it is my club of heart", had relished the Olympian winger at the microphone of Canal + a few minutes before being questioned again, in press conference, on the emotion that his performance gave him: “It's been so hard, more than the last few months.

I can't even explain to you.

I prefer to savor, ”he left the room, tears in his eyes.

More than a beautiful story, Saïf-Eddine Kahoui especially offered victory to OM, since Nice was on the verge of equalizing in added time with a free kick.

With this first victory in a month, the Marseillais go back to 6th place, one point behind Rennes, which they will face in their last late match, on March 10.

But first, it is Nantes that awaits OM, before going to face Lyon, then Lille.

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