Expected against PAOK this Thursday evening, Olympique de Marseille ensured the minimum by winning (2-1) and taking a slight option before the return match in Greece. A mixed performance, nevertheless illuminated by the sparks of Dimitri Payet.
OM 2-1 PAOK 
Goals: Gerson (13and) and Payet (45and) for Phocaeans // El Kaddouri (48and) for Salonika
Sent off: Gerson (90and+4) for the Phocaeans
In a boiling Velodrome, OM took their opposition against PAOK head-on. Scalded by a climate of palpable tension between local supporters and visitors, this meeting had indeed a taste of obligatory victory, on one side as on the other. And in this game, Jorge Sampaoli’s men were able to show themselves present, carried by the ease of their attackers. An excellent start to the evening, unfortunately tarnished by an overused end to the match and insufficient performance.
Manga Gerson and Payet
The explosions from the stands quickly gave way to the Olympian festival. From the start, Cédric Bakambu effectively heated the gloves of the giant Alexandros Paschalakis, with an uncontrolled recovery (1D), before Dimitri Payet, launched from the left lane, sent a vicious cross to the Congolese international, outstripped by the opposing goalkeeper with both fists (13and). An almost complete domination, like the previous round against FC Basel, soon rewarded. As a catalyst, Payet then took on the task of finding Gerson with a sublime laser pass, allowing the Brazilian to lift the ball, control from the chest and conclude with a straight shot on the left foot. (1-0, 13and). The « Dim » in a state of grace, mixing offerings and dribbling of all kinds in front of Aspromavri exceeded. But as if that weren’t enough, the playmaker punctuated his first period with a gem: a corner kick at the entrance to Cengiz Ünder’s surface, a whipped volley and a guided missile into the top corner of Paschalakis for the break (2-0, 45and). Mission partially accomplished.
Not ok against PAOK
Like their season, OM plunged into a characteristic lethargy, cracking shortly after the break. The fault of a poor recovery from Pape Gueye, allowing Omar El Kaddouri, barely entered, to shift Andrija Živković, who came intelligently to find his teammate with a heel for a heavy cross shot (2-1, 48and). Greeks uninhibited by this reduction of the gap, unlike Marseille drafts for a good ten minutes. What to see Chuba Akpom, in a duel with Steve Mandanda, miss his dive, too eccentric (58and). In reaction, the hosts illustrated themselves in fits and starts. A distant attempt by Ünder (58and), another from Payet (67and), but nothing to worry the black and white rear guard. It was therefore necessary to wait for the last moments to see Paschalakis back in business. Author of an excellent performance, the young goalkeeper first intervened on a deflection from Matteo Guendouzi and a header from William Saliba (74and), with one hand each time, before disgusting Cengiz Ünder with a reflex save, on the ground (78and). The crying waste of a formation without control in the second act. Balance sheet accentuated by the expulsion of Gerson (90and+4), consequence of two rough interventions, and the yellow cards of Boubacar Kamara and Bamba Dieng, synonymous with suspension next week. In summary: yet another frustrating victory and nothing done before the return match in Greece.
By Adel Bentaha
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