Marseille, France – Olympique Marseille continued their impressive form in Ligue 1, securing a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Angers at the Stade Vélodrome on Sunday night. The win extends Marseille’s unbeaten streak to five games, keeping them in contention for a top-four finish and potential Champions League qualification.
The match showcased Marseille’s attacking dominance in the first half, with goals from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Jordan Veretout, but Angers fought back in the second half, making for an exciting finish. Despite the late pressure, Marseille held their ground to claim all three points.
From the opening whistle, Marseille took control of the game, pressing high and forcing Angers into mistakes. The hosts showed their intent to attack, moving the ball quickly and testing Angers’ defense early.
In the 17th minute, Marseille’s pressure paid off. A defensive error from Angers allowed Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to pounce inside the box and slot the ball past the goalkeeper, giving Marseille a 1-0 lead. It was Aubameyang’s seventh goal of the season, highlighting his growing influence in the squad.
Marseille continued to dominate possession, pushing for a second goal. Their persistence was rewarded in the 42nd minute when Jordan Veretout unleashed a brilliant long-range strike, curling the ball into the top corner from outside the box. The Vélodrome erupted as Marseille doubled their lead just before halftime.
Angers, struggling to create chances, found themselves on the back foot, unable to match Marseille’s intensity in the opening 45 minutes.
Despite being down 2-0, Angers emerged in the second half with renewed energy. Manager Alexandre Dujeux made key tactical adjustments, encouraging his team to play more aggressively and press higher up the pitch.
Their efforts paid off in the 63rd minute, when Himad Abdelli found himself unmarked in the penalty area and slotted home a well-worked team goal. The strike gave Angers a lifeline, shifting the momentum in their favor.
Sensing danger, Marseille tightened up defensively, with center-backs Samuel Gigot and Leonardo Balerdi making crucial interceptions to prevent Angers from equalizing.
In the final 10 minutes, Angers nearly leveled the score when Ibrahima Niane had a golden chance, but Marseille goalkeeper Pau López made a spectacular save to preserve the lead.
The final whistle confirmed Marseille’s fifth consecutive victory, reinforcing their position as one of Ligue 1’s most in-form teams. Manager Gennaro Gattuso praised his squad for their discipline and determination.
With this result, Marseille remains in the top four, just a few points behind third place, keeping their Champions League hopes alive. Their next challenge will be an away fixture against a strong opponent, where they will look to extend their unbeaten run and continue climbing the table.
For Angers, the loss is a setback, but their second-half fightback showed promise. They will need to regroup quickly as they prepare for their next match in their battle to stay clear of the relegation zone.
About The Author
