Recap: Gouiri and Greenwood score as OM bounce back against Nantes (2-0)

Marseille got back to winning ways against Nantes at the Stade Velodrome on Sunday evening

A week can feel like a long time in football, especially at a club like Marseille where press coverage has been dominated by the post-Auxerre outburst of club president Pablo Longoria and his following 15-match suspension. A lot of the outrage and furore has somewhat distracted supporters from the essential: OM needed to move on and get back on track against FC Nantes at the Vélodrome this weekend. With PSG’s 4-1 win over Lille last night, the priority had to be consolidating Les Phocéens’ spot in the Champions League places. For Nantes, it was simply another opportunity to edge closer to safety in Ligue 1. Les Olympiens managed to get back to winning ways in Ligue 1 following their defeat to Auxerre in their previous outing last weekend thanks to goals from Amine Gouiri and Mason Greenwood.

An early chance came for Amine Gouiri when Quentin Merlin burst in-behind and almost put the ball on a plate for the Algerian international, but he couldn't quite reach the ball in time. Les Phocéens had the ball in the back of the net, and Adrien Rabiot thought he tapped in for the opener and his sixth of the season, but there was a hitch. Referee Stéphanie Frappart consulted VAR and the effort would be ruled out for a tight offside on Amine Gouiri in build-up.

Nantes grabbed their first chance of the game when Johann Lepenant's shot had to be parried carefully by Rulli after some great work from Moses Simon down the left hand side to get into a crossing position. Amir Murillo had to come off injured, and was replaced by Pol Lirola. Yet Marseille had some similar problems than against Auxerre popping up - De Zerbi's men had to persist. The second half began very much in the same manner, Greenwood struck a ball outside the box way over the bar and it was time for De Zerbi to make some changes. On came Valentin Rongier, and Amar Dedic just before the hour mark.

spirited Nantes bring fight to Marseille

Nantes very nearly opened the scoring when a lovely bit of skill from Louis Leroux saw the youngster burst into the box, beat two defenders but Rulli held his ground well to parry perfectly and stop the best chance of the game. Finally the deadlock was broken by Les Olympiens with the introduction of Rongier onto the pitch: the Frenchman was key in opting to pass to Amine Gouiri who just had to sweep the ball into what was practically an open net (72'). Marseille hadn't been anywhere near their best, but they managed to double their lead when Mason Greenwood drove into the box and picked up some defensive errors from the two FCN centre backs to continue his mazy run and finish emphatically (80'). Gouiri almost made it three in injury time, but his strike on goal was dragged wide after getting one on one with Lopes.

THE STAT: Fifty Two 

Marseille have scored 52 goals after 24 Ligue 1 matches this season. They have only done better once in the top flight at this stage of the competition in the last 50 years (53 goals in 2017/18).

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