PLAYER RATINGS | Brest 1-5 Marseille: Roberto De Zerbi era begins with statement victory | OneFootball

Ligue 1 McDonald’s, Round 1, 17/08/2024

Eyes in France would be turning to the country’s north as Stade Brestois hosted Olympique de Marseille. Brest had been last season’s surprise package recording a historic fourth-place finish and securing Champions League football.

For Marseille, the previous campaign had been tumultuous and disastrous. The arrival of Roberto De Zerbi has provided hope for the club and renewed expectations that the Les Phocéens can once again challenge near the top of the table.

Marseille have been active in the transfer window bringing in ten players (including Bamo Meïté’s whose loan was made permanent) and five of them would be provided debuts today, as De Zerbi looked to start his new era with a statement victory.

It would prove to be a fast start for the visitors as Mason Greenwood capped his debut with an early goal. He found joy in attacking Jordan Amavi (debuting for Brest after his move from Marseille) who couldn’t keep up with his drifting run forward. The winger found the back of the net.

Despite the start, Brest had looked the more dominant side as they edged possession throughout the half. They almost equalised early on when Derek Cornelius brought down Ludovic Ajorque in the penalty area. Romain Del Castillo stepped up but saw his effort saved by Gerónimo Rulli (the new signing thereby matched Pau López’s unfortunate penalty record in his first game).

Marseille piled on the misery as their counterattacks unsettled Brest. Luis Henrique doubled the lead as he collected Greenwood’s pass across the goal, shortly before Amine Harit was clumsily fouled in the box by Jonas Martin. Greenwood sent Marco Bizot the wrong way to make it three for Marseille.

Brest slumped a little and Marseille began to see a bit more of the ball. However, to close out the half, Brest’s earlier efforts were finally rewarded as Mahdi Camara was able to strike an audacious effort from outside the box. It would prove to be the final significant moment of the half and gave the hosts a bit of hope that all was not lost.

A few minutes into the new half and that hope was drained. Marseille executed a perfect transition as acting captain Leonardo Balerdi spotted the run of Greenwood down the left. The winger brought the ball down and looked for Elye Wahi, however, his cross was cleared into the path of Luis Henrique. The Brazilian picked his spot and returned the three-goal lead.

Brest clearly lost belief and Marseille began to enjoy themselves. Even at such an early stage in De Zerbi’s tenure, it’s clear that his principles have taken hold and the players are perfectly aware of their roles. Four soon became five as another penalty was awarded as Amavi brought down Greenwood. Wahi this time stepped up and with his final involvement in the game increased Marseille’s lead.

A host of changes occurred with Brest adding to their earlier substitution of Ajorque for Bournemouth loanee Romain Faivre, as Martin and Mathias Pereira Lage were replaced by Hianga’a Mbock and Axel Camblan. Marseille responded with Wahi and Pol Lirola being swapped for Faris Moumbagna and Bamo Meïté.

Moumbagna’s time on the pitch would be short with the striker suffering a head injury minutes after coming onto the field. After a lengthy pause where he was stretchered off the pitch, Enzo Sternal came on in his place. The game by this point was over but there was still some good news to come for Marseille as Valentin Rongier made his first appearance since November after returning from a broken kneecap.

This was exactly the start that De Zerbi had dreamed of when he joined the club in late June. Marseille were cutthroat as they took apart a team that had lost only twice at home last season. The signs are certainly promising for Les Phocéens, but for Brest, they will hope to swiftly forget about this game with the Champions League soon approaching.

Brest player ratings

Marco Bizot, 3 – Bizot was not provided much help from his defence. The team struggled a lot in transition and he was left exposed.

Jordan Amavi, 2 (replaced by Luck Zogbé in the 83rd minute) – A terrible afternoon for the new signing. He struggled to keep up with Greenwood throughout the match allowing for the Englishman to control the game. Amavi was replaced before time by the teenager.

Julien Le Cardinal, 4

Brendan Chardonnet, 4

Kenny Lala, 5

Jonas Martin, 4 (replaced by Hianga’a Mbock 70th minute)

Mathias Pereira Lage, 5 (replaced by Axel Camblan 70th minute)

Mahdi Camara, 6

Jérémy Le Douaron, 6

Ludovic Ajorque, 4 (replaced by Romain Faivre 63rd minute) – Flashes of what could be dominated Ajorque’s performance. The striker is going to be heavily relied upon this season. His movements were promising but little to no end product meant Brest could not turn their early dominance into something more tangible.

Romain Del Castillo, 5

Marseille player ratings

Gerónimo Rulli, 8

Michael Amir Murillo, 6

Derek Cornelius, 5 – Outside of giving away the penalty it was a largely composed performance for the new centre-back. He was greatly involved in De Zerbi’s preferred method of playing with the defender trusted to play out from the back.

Leonardo Balerdi, 7

Pol Lirola, 5 (replaced by Bamo Meïté 70th minute)

Quentin Merlin, 6

Pierre-Emile Højbjerg, 8 – The quiet engine of this new team. Marseille’s attacks would move through him as the lynchpin connecting the defence and the attack. His ability to the read game was also tested with the former Tottenham midfielder making a number of tackles to break up Brest’s momentum.

Luis Henrique, 8

Amine Harit, 7

Mason Greenwood, 8 – The star of the show for Marseille today he looked threatening every time he was allowed to run at Amavi.

Elye Wahi, 6 (Replaced by Faris Moumbagna 70th minute, replaced in the 79th minute by Enzo Sternal)

GFFN | Nick Hartland