PLAYER RATINGS | Marseille 1-1 Monaco – Sánchez scores to keep Marseille arms-length from Monaco in Ligue 1 | OneFootball

28/01/2023 Ligue 1

The Vélodrome was once again at fever-pitch, and Marseille will be happy to come away from a tense match against Monaco with a point to extend their lead over the Monegasques for the Champions League qualifying positions.

Monaco started the match in bright fashion, and were effective in passing patterns and chance creation to worry Marseille’s backline. A free-kick from the right sent OM’s defence into disarray as Jordan Veretout flicked past Blanco to score an own goal in the 17th minute. Ben Seghir, Golovin, and Ben Yeddar were the key starlets in the first half.

Once again we whip out the old cliché: it was indeed a match of two halves. Marseille, buoyed no doubt by an Igor Tudor half-time team talk, stormed into the second period with a high intensity spearheaded by Alexis Sánchez up front. It was indeed the Chilean who profited from Alex Nübel’s error to calmly equalise for OM. The home side had the majority of chances, even hitting the bar midway through the second half, yet Monaco managed to hold on and earn a point.

Marseille:

Blanco, 6

Mbemba, 6

Gigot, 5

Kolasinac, 6 – Another solid performance for Kolasinac in a Marseille shirt, who us proving his worth and quickly becoming a fan favourite under Igor Tudor. He could have scored the winner in the second half, hitting the bar on the rebound. Yet he offered defensive solidity whilst also taking up advanced positions, as is normal for a defender in Tudor’s system.

Ünder, 5

Rongier, 5

Veretout, 4

Tavares, 7 – Drove well into the box to provide for the equaliser, perked up his performance in the second half and showed determination and devastating bursts of energy on the right side for Marseille. Was not afraid to shoot on goal and take offensive responsibility.

Malinovskyi, 6

Guendouzi, 5 – With Malinovskyi taking up a more advanced position for Marseille Guendouzi was plying his trade in more defensive tasks this evening, mopping up well and organising OM’s midfield. His performance was at a good level, without impressing massively on the ball. His body language however remained professional throughout the match despite reported interest from Premier League Aston Villa…

Sánchez, 7 – Another glimmering performance for the Chilean in a Marseille shirt. Whilst he was reasonably quiet in the first half (similarly to most of OM), he stormed into the second with a calm finish to equalise in the 47th minute with his 3rd goal in five games for the Olympians. He worked well with Tavares & Malinovskyi and drifted into dangerous positions whilst the home side were on the ball, and upped his pressing intensity off it.

Others: Gueye 5, Payet 5

Monaco:

Nübel, 5

Vanderson, 6

Disasi, 6

Maripan, 5

Caio Henrique, 6 – Worked well and hard on the left side for Monaco, and it was his looping free-kick into the box which troubled a disorganised Marseille defence for the opener. Whilst it was more difficult defensively in the second half for Monaco, he kept composure despite his side conceding in the 47th minute.

Diatta, 6 – Did a great job of managing the midfield in the first half alongside Matazo. Comfortable in possession and created numerous chances on the attack. However, as Marseille stormed back into life in the second half, his performance was less influential on the match.

Fofana, 5

Matazo, 6

Golovin, 6 –  Lively performance and full of tricks and was a key cog in Monaco’s bright start to the match, much like his midfield counterparts he spent large periods of the second half without the ball, but managed to switch up his game to react to OM’s large domination coming into the second period in order to be more dangerous on the counter attack and conserving what chances the Monegasques had.

Ben Seghir, 7 – Incredible start to the game, his energy was spot on as he chased every ball when in the defensive phase. In attack, he was effective in possession of the ball, managing to rotate out of a deeper role at times but also being able to run on the shoulder of the last man. Was substituted off in the second half in a tactical change by Philippe Clément – yet it was another promising showing from the 17-year old. One to watch (as many have said before).

Ben Yedder, 5

Others: Embolo, 5, Jakobs 6, Gelson 5, Martins 5, Aguilar 5,

GFFN | George Boxall