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Montpellier 1-2 OM: A victory that will count

Sunday 17 April 2011 - 17h00
Montpellier, Stade de la Mosson
Referee : M. Stéphane Lannoy

By winning away to Montpellier in a prelude to the final, OM pull back to within one point of league leaders Lille. The only blemish on the evening, Remy (sent off) will miss the final.

MONTPELLIER 1-2 OM

1-0: Giroud (64')

1-1: Gignac (69')

1-2: Taiwo (80', pen.)

Title or not, there is no doubt that we will regret the more reactive than active character of this Marseille side. But we cannot take away their pugnacity.

"This is a group that needs to be pushed into a corner to show its true face," objectively analyzed Guy Stephan.

Their "winning culture" was still their best friend on Sunday in the clammy Mosson. It allows them to believe (more than ever) in the national coronation. When, without it, their performance over the first hour would probably have doomed them to the status of mere spectator of the final sprint.

Thus, the Olympians did not win thanks to wearing down their opponents, but at the cost of a thunderous reaction after being stung to the quick.

As against Boulogne last year, Taiwo brought about a success that will count from the penalty spot, at least for the championship. Because for the Coupe de la Ligue, we will not venture to write that OM has taken a psychological edge over his future opponent at Saint-Denis. Winning cannot hurt of course, but the context is so different ...

It is possible that Montpellier will use the same method to block Marseille from expressing themselves. How? By reducing the space to a size of handkerchief and not shying from physical impact.

It was expected that the Phoenicians took the game to their account, building with well thought out movement. But through a lack of percussion, and because of too much waste, the combinations did not work out before the break, insufficient in any case to take control.

Fortunately, OM did, on the other hand, display the necessary seriousness to not suffer any real warning throughout the first half. And even up until the hour mark, in the image of the solid tackle from Diawara to cool a hot ball at the feet of Giroud (50’).

A penalty which changed everything

Only a goal could shake up this tight encounter. A high speed move between Marveaux and Belhanda concluded by Giroud's left broke the deadlock (1-0, 64’).

How were OM going to get out of this, when they had not really worried Jourdren at all, apart from a free-kick fired in by by Heinze? With guts, the decisive entry of Ayew ... and the talent of Cheyrou enhanced by the effectiveness of Gignac. Five minutes after the opening goal, the midfielder adjusted his sight to serve the former Toulouse player from over 40 metres. "Dedé" raced past Bocaly and leveled the score with one touch of the ball (1-1).

The Olympians did not stop there. On the road to the title, the trip to Montpellier was to bring home three points. A totally crazy minute would allow them to do so, while complicating Deschamps plans for the final. Remy obtained a penalty but was sent off in the general confusion, at the same time as El Kaoutari, for responding to his provocations. Next Saturday, both players will be in the stands at the Stade de France instead of on the pitch. When he will take his place, no doubt he will feel a great frustration, but at least the former Nice player can be consoled by thinking of the penalty scored by Taiwo, synonymous with victory. Because it reduces the gap with Lille to a minimum: one single point to grapple back in seven games.

Just a few weeks ago, the "Dogues" looked like perfect champions. Given the determination of Marseille in the final twenty minutes, who would still gamble all their savings and the inheritance from "granny" on a Lille consecration, without thinking twice?

Laurent Oreggia

Photos : Yannick Parienti