PLAYER RATINGS | Marseille 1-3 Auxerre: Stade Vélodrome shocked by first-half defeat

Ligue 1 McDonald’s, Round 11, 24/08/11

Olympique de Marseille hoped to put some distance between them and their last home result, where they lost 3-0 to Paris Saint-Germain in Le Classique. AJ Auxerre, however, was far from obliging. The visitors were determined defensively and clinical in attack as they won the Stade Vélodrome 3-1.

The match

Marseille would control possession in the first half, recording 75% of the ball. However, they would be completely undone by sloppy errors at the back from all four of their defenders. In the tenth minute, a goal kick from Auxerre’s Donovan Léon turned into an assist when Lilian Brassier lost sight of the ball. The centre-back fell as he tried to clear the ball, allowing Lassine Sinayoko to charge past and set up his shot.

Marseille struggled to provide a convincing response to the scoreline. Every player seemed frustrated and out of sync. The hosts’ passing game was slow and allowed Auxerre’s low block to frustrate and shut down attacks. Marseille moved higher up the pitch and created space behind the defenders, which is where Auxerre seemed to operate towards the end of the half.

In the 43rd minute, a sloppy pass from Leonardo Balerdi was intercepted by Gideon Mensah. The full-back laid the ball off to Hamed Traorè, who slid his pass into Sinayoko. The forward dragged the Marseille defense to the left side of the pitch, leaving Gaëtan Perrin unmarked. A simple pass to Perrin and Auxerre made it 2-0.

Two minutes later things would quickly go from bad to worse when Quentin Merlin lost the ball to Perrin. The winger fired a through ball towards the other flank and found Traorè. The loanee of Bournemouth’s quick feet turned Pol Lirola and attacked the penalty area, where he created a tight angle to poke the ball past Gerónimo Rulli. For the second home game in a row, Marseille would go into the second half 3-0 behind.

Roberto De Zerbi made three changes at the break as Neal Maupay, Jonathan Rowe and Merlin all came off for Elye Wahi, Ismaël Koné and Michael Amir Murillo. Despite the changes, Auxerre was buoyed by confidence and threatened to make it a fourth with quick counter-attacks. However, Marseille would be given a lifeline when the ball hit Clément Akpa’s hand in the penalty area.

Mason Greenwood shot low and to the left to move level with Bradley Barcola as Ligue 1’s top scorer with eight goals. A goal-to-mouth battle ensued when Léon hampered Marseille’s quick restart. Wahi threatened to make it two shortly afterwards when he burst past the defensive line, but his shot could not beat the goalkeeper.

The dream of a comeback would fade as the minutes drew closer to the final whistle. Marseille had huffed and puffed but rarely seemed to come close to scoring. Auxerre had shown spirit throughout the match and was the deserved winner.

Marseille player ratings

Gerónimo Rulli – 4

Quentin Merlin – 4

Lilian Brassier – 3

Lilian Brassier has struggled to adapt to life in Marseille since moving from Stade Brestois. He was supposed to be the player at the heart of the defense alongside Leonardo Balerdi, but current performances do not justify this. The central defender seemed error-prone this evening and after the first goal, every touch was whistled by the home support. When he came on in the second half, he was chased off the field.

Leonardo Balerdi – 4

Pol Lirola – 4

Adrian Rabiot – 5

Pierre-Emile Højbjerg – 5

Jonathan Rowe – 4

Luis Henrique – 5

Bricklayer Greenwood – 6

However, he was the best player on the pitch for the hosts and also looked a level below his usual level. He cut a largely frustrated figure.

Neal Maupay – 4

Given the nod about Elye Wahi, but failed to impose himself on the game. He was taken off the field at halftime.

Auxerre Selected Player Ratings

Gideon Mensah – 8

Perhaps the best player on the field. He was constantly in action and usually came out on top in his duels with Mason Greenwood and Pol Lirola. He personified the defensive spirit and courage that Auxerre showed.

Gaëtan Perrin – 8

Lassine Sinayoko – 8

GFFN | Nick Hartland