It was a game of two halves for Olympique de Marseille as they were forced to come from behind to rescue a point against Stade de Reims. The club had been dominant in the first half and for most of the second but were left frustrated as they dropped points to Luka Elsner’s young squad.
Life under Roberto De Zerbi had begun with an emphatic 5-1 victory away at Stade Brestois, and there was a febrile atmosphere to the Stade Vélodrome as the teams took to the field.
Marseille controlled the game, keeping hold of the ball and pinning Reims back. Elsner’s side struggled to get out of their own half, their attempts to play out from the goalkeeper Yehvann Diouf were met with an impressive press that would consistently force a mishit pass.
Marseille wracked up shots in the first half creating 11 chances with seven of the attempts on target, and it felt only a matter of time before the stadium would taste their first goal of the campaign. The pleasure would fall to Amine Harit who has excelled under De Zerbi’s short reign.
A well-worked passing move saw Luis Henrique spread the ball out wide to Quentin Merlin. The left-back (reverting to his usual place in defence rather than as a makeshift midfielder like against Brest) was able to whip in a cross that found Harit unmarked in a pocket of space. The Moroccan international placed his shot to light up the Vélodrome.
Marseille probably should have led by more as halftime came around. Their new striker Elye Wahi had a frustrating half where he was caught offside multiple times, and his finishing was left wanting. Tame efforts and a goalline clearance would leave him baffled as to how his name was absent from the scoresheet.
Les Phocéens would be left ruing those missed chances as Reims shot out of the traps to start the second half. The visitors recorded a quick-fire double to take the lead. Sergio Akieme collected Luis Henrique’s poor clearance from a corner and shot through a crowded penalty area. Yaya Fofana then silenced the Vélodrome with a sensational run past flying tackles to give Reims the lead.
De Zerbi had seen enough and Wahi would be taken off to more than a few whistles. He was replaced by Jonathan Rowe who provided some much-needed attacking momentum. On his debut for the club, Rowe would hit the post leading to the passage of play which provided the club their equaliser.
Merlin collected the ball in the box before firing the ball across the goal. Diouf got a hand to the cross but only pushed towards Greenwood who would head home the deflection. Marseille wrestled back control from Reims but it would be too little too late.
The club had looked dominant for most of the game, but a small patch where they switched off was enough for Reims to take a point from the Vélodrome and reveal some worrying defensive fragilities to this new-look Marseille.
Marseille player ratings
Gerónimo Rulli, 5
Quentin Merlin, 7 – By far the most influential player on the pitch. Merlin was a consistent threat down the left providing crosses for his teammates.
Lilian Brassier, 5
Leonardo Balerdi, 4
Michael Amir Murillo, 4
Pierre-Emile Højbjerg, 7
Geoffrey Kondogbia, 5
Luis Henrique, 5
Amine Harit, 6 – Replaced by Valentín Carboni in the second half. The midfielder had another good performance under De Zerbi even if his position in the side looks as if it could be under threat by the arrival of Carboni.
Mason Greenwood, 6
Elye Wahi, 2 – A truly terrible evening for the new signing. He looked off the pace which is worrying when he is meant to be the main man leading the line. His exit was met with whistles and his replacement Jonathan Rowe excelled.
Reims selected player ratings
Yehvann Diouf, 4
Yaya Fofana, 6 – An impressive first-ever start for Reims. The midfielder left an expectant Vélodrome whistling and the Marseille defence embarrassed after an exceptional run.
Keito Nakamura, 6
