Recap: Bafodé Diakité's Late Goal Helps Lille Rescue Point vs. OM

Olympique de Marseille and LOSC Lille played a tightly contested 1-1 draw on Saturday at Stade Vélodrome as Les Dogues snatched a point in the final minutes from the home side.

In a matchup between two of the top teams in Ligue 1 this season, both sides needed three points to stay the pace with league leaders Paris Saint-Germain. The two teams also needed a victory in the race for an automatic spot in the UEFA Champions League next season.

Quentin Merlin opened the scoring in the 17th minute for OM off an assist from Adrien Rabiot. The 22-year-old scored on a left-footed shot from the center of the box to the top left corner as they took a 1-0 advantage.

In the final 45 minutes, the host team attempted to secure that crucial insurance goal as OM recorded seven total shots while the visitors countered with five total shots.

Rather than Marseille taking a 2-0 lead, it was Lille who found the back of the net to level the scoring 1-1 thanks to a goal from Bafodé Diakité in the 87th minute. Diakité scored on a header from the center of the box to the top right corner as LOSC left Stade Vélodrome with one point.

In second-half stoppage time, OM right-back Pol Lirola was shown a straight red card, while Lille's Benjamin André and André Gomes picked up yellow cards, capping off a tense and chippy finish to the match.

After the match, Lille manager Bruno Genesio spoke to beIN SPORTS and shared his thoughts on his team salvaging a point late in the contest.

"We played a great game and stuck to our plan: Stopping them from building through short passes in the center and then using the flanks and exploiting depth. I think we did that pretty well."

"We just needed to be a bit more clinical in the final moments. Overall, it was a strong performance. It would’ve been harsh to leave without a point considering how we played. The game plan was followed perfectly."

"Getting the equalizer in the final minutes shows the incredible solidarity within the team. I’m lucky to have a deep, quality squad, which was evident with the six changes in the starting lineup. The team’s spirit is outstanding, and that’s what drives us to put in performances like this."

"Our philosophy is to play our game no matter who we’re up against. I’m fortunate to have players coming back from injury and strong options on the bench. That gives us plenty of flexibility, whether during the game or between matches."

Both teams will enter 2025 sitting in the top four of the Ligue 1 table with Lille currently in fourth on 27 points and OM in second with 30 points.

The Stat: Valentin Rongier is at the heart of Marseille's defense

Marseille have only conceded three goals in 483 minutes of Ligue 1 action with Valentin Rongier on the pitch this season, compared to 15 goals in 867 minutes without him. When Lille scored the game-tying goal it was after Rongier was substituted out of the match in the 74th minute.

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