PLAYER RATINGS | Marseille 2-1 Lens: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Pape Gueye punish wasteful Les Sang et Or | OneFootball

It was always going to be a bitter pill for Olympique de Marseille to swallow, even if the news was expected. Paris Saint-Germain had become champions for the twelfth time. An early strike from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang could do little to lift the gloom that set upon the Stade Vélodrome as they hosted RC Lens.

The troubles that have plagued Les Sang et Or this season reared their ugly head as they searched for a desperate attempt to place themselves in Champions League contention with only three games remaining. The league’s best defence last season struggled to meet those same high standards, and it was all too easy for Marseille’s top scorer to provide a sucker punch to start the game.

The first few exchanges promised an open game as sixth travelled to seventh. Elye Wahi squandered a dangerous opportunity, while Brice Samba was able to prevent Aubameyang from doubling the deficit. The shots became less dangerous but the game was no less open.

Marseille controlled possession with Lens looking to chase down their hosts and launch their trademark quick counters as they steamed down the wings. Pau López was called into action more than he would have liked, the Marseille goalkeeper having to save a Kevin Danso header to keep the hosts in the lead.

It looked as if the second half would keep the openness of the first forty-five minutes alive when Jordan Veretout had a brilliant opportunity to shoot at Samba’s goal when he received the ball one-on-one with the keeper. However, the game eventually settled into a slower tempo.

Both sides struggled to find consistent chances as they were bogged down into a battle for control in the middle of the pitch. It was almost as soon as Lens looked at their least dangerous that they suddenly found the right circumstances. A sweeping cross was powered in by the substitute Wesley Saïd to level the scores with almost a quarter of an hour remaining.

With only a few minutes remaining Lens threw away their hard work as they tried to build out from the back. Massadio Haïdara passed directly into the path of Pape Gueye, the midfielder with a one-two to Aubameyang was able to run through on goal and punish the terrible mistake.

It was a hard game for Lens to stomach. They had been the better side, but old problems had once again appeared. Marseille won’t care that they were second-best on the night when their weekend ended with all three points, and the pressure mounting on the team above them.

Marseille player ratings

Pau López, 7 – The star of the team. He was involved far more than he would have liked and was key in keeping Marseille ahead for most of the game. A late leveller from the Lens substitute was the one black mark on his night.

Leonardo Balerdi, 5

Samuel Gigot, 5

Michael Amir Murillo, 5

Ulisses Garcia, 5

Jordan Veretout, 4 – Great positions from the midfielder but would continually make a mistake as soon as he gained possession. It looked as if he was tasked with taking up more advanced positions and ultimately it felt as if he was uncomfortable in this role.

Pape Gueye, 7

Amine Harit, 5

Jonathan Clauss, 4

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, 8 – Looked the biggest threat for Marseille and showed once again the reliance that this team has on the veteran striker. His goal was well taken and as the game wore on he was a consistent threat as he waited on the shoulders of the defence to break through on goal.

Iliman Ndiaye, 5 – An assist in the first minute was the best moment of the night for Ndiaye. His pass was crucial to open up the Lens defence and allow Aubameyang a chance to open the scoring. However, a substitution early in the second half suggested one eye was on the Europa League fixture on Thursday, and a fairly uneventful game since the opening minute.

Lens player ratings

Brice Samba, 6 – Beaten early on in the game, but was key in preventing Marseille from scoring again. The only issue for the keeper was that one goal was enough for the hosts to win.

Facundo Medina, 6

Kevin Danso, 6

Massadio Haïdara, 3

Deiver Machado, 5

Neil El Aynaoui, 5 – A quiet night for the midfielder who played a solid game in the centre of a Lens team that slowly gained control of the ball. However, it ended early after a stamp on his foot forced Franck Haise into making a second-half substitution.

Nampalys Mendy, 5

Przemysław Frankowski, 6

Angelo Fulgini, 4

Elye Wahi, 4 – The move from Montpellier to Lens has not been particularly successful for the French striker. He has struggled to put his imprint on games and tonight was a similar situation. He makes the right moves and has good timing but something always prevents him from turning this threat on paper into dangerous situations.

Florian Sotoca, 4

GFFN | Nick Hartland