Ligue 1 McDonald’s, Round 6, 29/09/24
RC Strasbourg Alsace were celebrating every clearance by the end of the game, but for most of their 1-0 victory over Olympique de Marseille, they had been the more commanding side.
The Match
Roberto De Zerbi had warned that Marseille would have to be at their “best, mentally, physically, tactically” against Strasbourg. He even added that the game could be tougher than the one they had faced at Olympique Lyonnais the weekend before.
Strasbourg pressed relentlessly from the first whistle. The blue shirts swarmed high up the pitch looking to force costly turnovers. Gerónimo Rulli was the far more active of the two keepers and was forced into action to protect the Marseille goal from testing efforts from Sebastian Nanasi and Dilane Bakwa during the first half.
Despite 59% possession in the first half, Marseille struggled to pass their way through the press and the physicality of their hosts. It took the visitors around 30 minutes before they recorded a shot. Luis Henrique in a similar run to the one against OGC Nice drifted inside and fired wide.
Strasbourg had been the more dominant side and soon found the advantage on the score sheet when Nanasi slipped a pass to former Lyon loanee Diego Moreira in the 40th minute. The fullback on the overlap snuck his shot underneath Rulli to allow the hosts to end the first half with a slim lead.
Le Racing continued their bright start in the second half. Moreira was able to split the defence with a pass into Emanuel Emegha but the striker’s decision-making was left wanting. The striker had options to his left but decided to fire straight towards Rulli.
Ismaël Koné’s injury sparked De Zerbi to make a triple change. The young Canadian looked distraught as he was forced off the pitch. His replacement would be Adrien Rabiot, making his debut for the club after leaving Juventus at the start of this summer.
Marseille found some rhythm. Greenwood forced a fantastic save from Djordje Petrović. The former Manchester United winger’s shot was struck with venom but the Chelsea loanee’s reflexes were more than enough to prevent the equaliser.
Marseille pushed for the late equaliser, orange shirts flooding forward. But it wasn’t to be, as the club dropped points for the second time this season, and fell behind both Paris Saint-Germain and AS Monaco in the league. For Strasbourg, some good performances have gone unrewarded recently, and they were ecstatic that they were able to hold on to record their second victory of the season and the club’s 1000th at the Stade de la Meinau.
Marseille player ratings
Gerónimo Rulli – 8
The star for Marseille. Strasbourg found it far too easy to attack the goalkeeper but the summer signing was able to prevent most of the shots from going through. He’ll be disappointed that Moreira’s shot went underneath him
Lilian Brassier – 4
Derek Cornelius – 4
Pierre-Emile Højbjerg – 4
It was clear that Højbjerg was playing outside of his comfort zone. The midfielder due to injury to Bamo Meïté and suspension to Leonardo Balerdi was placed as a centre-back. An unfortunate slip in the first half should have been punished, and perhaps his presence was missed from slightly further up the field.
Michael Amir Murillo – 4
Ismaël Koné – 5
Geoffrey Kondogbia – 6
Luis Henrique – 4
A disappointing evening for one of the brightest sparks of Marseille’s early season. The Brazilian found it difficult to be fully involved. There were glimpses of his newfound game, but Strasbourg were effective at killing Marseille’s attacking momentum.
Amine Harit – 4
Mason Greenwood – 6
Elye Wahi – 5
Strasbourg selected player ratings
Djordje Petrović – 8
Diego Moreira – 8
Sebastian Nanasi – 7
