Ilan Kebbal caps off late comeback for Paris FC vs Marseille
It was an emotionally charged few days after Marseille were knocked out of the Champions League at Brugge. It was back to Ligue 1 McDonald's action for Les Olympiens, against a Paris FC side who were looking to compile the Southern club's recent misery. After a club pyro-show in a carnival-like atmosphere, the clash would finally get underway at a chilly Stade Jean-Bouin.
Roberto De Zerbi's men started quickly on the ball, but Jean Phillipe Krasso would give a reminder that OM don't have any room for slack passing - when he nipped in to take the ball on the halfway line and tried to lob Rulli from range. OM would have several chances to get in the game, a header from Greenwood and Balerdi failed to test Kevin Trapp whilst Paris looked stuck in their own half. There was a handball shout from Mason Greenwood, which was retroactively given several minutes later, and the Englishman stepped up to convert (17').
An almighty roar broke out, as a majority of Marseille supporters in the stadium defied a travel ban from the league to cheer on their side. Despite entering with no colours, they were now the majority at the stadium. Back on the pitch Timothy Weah broke behind the backline on the left side, but Trapp was positioned well to save.
PFC began to move up the pitch more positively, and created a few openings few Ilan Kebbal, whilst OM's defence looked far from convincing, they enjoyed the openness of the game more - as Greenwood and Nwaneri threatened on the counter attack. A lovely phase of play between Kebbal, Lopez, and Krasso saw Simon released down the right side but Balerdi was on hand to intervene at the last second as the ball came across the face of goal. Les Olympiens reacted: Greenwood and Nwaneri combined once more but the ball across the box to an open Quinten Timber was just behind - avoiding what looked like a certain second goal for OM.
By the end of the first half, OM had done the minimum - but anything is an improvement from Wednesday evening's showing. As it stood, just the one goal margin left the possibility of a late collapse given Paris FC had generated several chances. PFC manager Stephane Gilli opted to substitute Maxime Lopez at halftime for Marshal Munetsi, as De Zerbi's men returned unchanged for the second half.
Les Olympiens doubled their lead after some smart play between Nwaneri and Greenwood down the right side, and the former Manchester United attacker provided the ball on a plate for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to tap in at the back post (52'). Les Parisiens had nothing to lose at this point, but looked too passive in the final third as OM continued to attack into space. Leonardo Balerdi then struck the post with a header, before substitute Amine Gouiri was inches away from scoring third as Trapp intervened just in time on a cross from Greenwood.
PFC mount fightback
It felt inevitable that Paris FC would get on the scoresheet, as Moustapha Mbow wound up a cross which was met by Jonathan Ikoné with a header from the centre of the box to put PFC back into the contest (81'). Stephane Gilli's players grabbed the ball straight away, as they believed they could get back on level terms. This time it was the home crowd that raised their voices for one last push going into injury time. On the break, Mason Greenwood and Amine Gouiri had a glorious chance to finish off the contest, but the Englishman slipped in the box before Gouri blasted over the bar.
And then the drama, because there is always drama with OM. Geronimo Rulli rushed out of his six-yard box to punch away from Munetsi, but made too much contact as the ball bounced just wide. A penalty would be given to PFC, and Illan Kebbal stepped up confidently to convert in injury time for Les Parisiens (90+3').
De Zerbi's men had an inordinate amount of chances to kill the game, but they were ultimately punished once again this season. More points dropped from Les Olympiens after elimination from the Champions League: can a Coupe de France tie at Rennes bring some solstice to a side tortured by their own demons next week?
THE STAT: Bench impact
Two of Paris FC's last three goals in Ligue 1 have been scored by a player coming off the bench (Luca Koleosho v Nantes, Jonathan Ikon? v Marseille), as many as in their previous 13 L1 games. Ikon? has scored five goals in his last five games in all competitions, as many as in his previous 31.
