Alexis Sánchez was again in the spotlight on matchday 18 of Ligue 1, adored by Tudor and seen as the team’s star, yet he did not feature in the match-day squad.
Olympique de Marseille returned to league action with a crucial victory over Troyes. The visitors arrived with exactly half the points of the Marseille squad led by Igor Tudor, and Sánchez’s absence did not prevent OM from enforcing their rhythm. RC Lens’s draw with Strasbourg opened a small gap for Marseille, who moved within two points of their rivals in a tight race for a Champions League spot and domestic glory.
The setup for the visitors, including the tactical framework of Tocopilla’s talisman, unfolded with intent — the numbers and the movements of the players on the field told the story. Guendouzi’s pivot work unlocked Mbemba for an early goal after 10 minutes, with Ünder delivering a precise pass to Veretout in front of Lis’s goal. The second half brought less drama because Tudor preferred a composed approach, maintaining a solid defensive line that allowed Marseille to confirm the result without undue risk. Sánchez’s absence mattered little in the build-up, as the team found other pathways to goal, using a blend of pace and patient buildup to stretch the defence. In this performance, the connection with teammates remained strong, and the atmosphere at the Stade Vélodrome was one of quiet confidence as the clock wound down. [Goal]
Following this win, Marseille secured their sixth consecutive official victory in all competitions, a streak that included performers from Lyon, Toulouse, Montpellier, Hyères, and Troyes. The current form mirrors a peak from the 2022/2023 season, with Marseille showing resilience in both the league and cup competitions in the wake of international departures that affected several teams. [Goal]
The head-to-head record shows Marseille and Troyes facing each other 35 times in Ligue 1, with Marseille holding the advantage at 19 wins and 54 goals to Troyes’ seven victories and 30 goals, while there have been nine draws. Their most recent encounter earlier in the season finished 1-1, with Touzghar and Payet scoring for each side. Marseille has not defeated Troyes in their Stade de l’Aube encounters since the 2012/13 season, a mini-drought that the visitors aimed to end in this fixture. [Goal]
At the 93rd minute, Marseille sealed the win with a clean sheet, confirming the 2-0 result. Early in the game, Malinovskyi’s first appearance for Marseille was met with a yellow card as he fouled Mama Baldé; coach Tudor also made a change by withdrawing Kaboré after a disciplinary call. The opening exchanges saw Mbemba contribute to a closed backline while Veretout’s cross found Ünder, who produced one of Marseille’s sharp long-range chances. [Goal]
In the 64th minute, Mbemba deepened the attack; Veretout’s cross was met by Ünder, who fired the clearest shot of the night, stretching the visiting defense. The 46th minute featured a goal and a brief pause for halftime, with Ünder delivering a cross to the far post and Veretout narrowly missing a second goal in the ensuing moment. A few minutes later, the opening goal reappeared in the build from the left, with Mbemba’s early strike contributing to Marseille’s lead. [Goal]
The match lineup for Marseille included Pau López in goal, with a back four of Mbemba, Gigot, Balerdi, and Kaboré; a midfield trio of Rongier, Veretout, and Kolašinac; and a frontline featuring Under, Guendouzi, and Sánchez. Troyes lined up Lis in goal, with Baldé, Salmier, Palmer-Brown, and Conté across the back; Kouamé, Chavalerin in the middle; Mama Balde, Lopes, Bruus, and Ripart in attacking positions. [Goal]
The tactical dynamics showed Marseille pressing high and maintaining compact lines, leveraging quick transitions and intelligent off-ball movement to create chances even without Sánchez on the field. The result reinforced Marseille’s status as a strong contender in the domestic campaign and a team capable of winning with multiple pathways to goal. [Goal]
Beyond the scoreline, the numbers highlighted Sánchez’s continued influence for OM across his 21st appearance in the club’s colors, with his involvement in set-piece situations and link-up play shaping the overall performance. The broader context emphasizes Marseille’s ability to adapt and thrive in a season marked by departures and renewed ambition. [Goal]
The match action also touched on moments of discipline and tactical adjustments. Malinovskyi’s debut, a booking, and Tudor’s on-pitch decisions reflected a manager prioritizing balance and forward momentum. The collective effort underscored the team’s resilience as the season progresses, with several high-stakes fixtures ahead in both Ligue 1 and subsequent cup competitions. [Goal]
In summary, Marseille demonstrated a composed and effective performance, building on recent successes and moving closer to the top of the table. The execution of key plays and the strategic use of depth within the squad provided the foundation for a victory that resonated beyond the result itself. [Goal]
Source notes: Attendance of the match and post-game assessments were recorded by the sports media coverage on Goal, with ongoing updates and extended analysis available in the match report. [Goal]
THE NUMBERS OF 7
- View Sánchez’s 21st appearance for OM and the contributions that shaped the match.
Where did Sánchez influence the game? The ball touches, the passes, and the moments that defined the encounter are summarized in the player’s performance report. The profile highlights a series of key actions and the overall impact on the team’s attacking transitions. [Goal]
The return to form for Marseille was marked by a blend of established rhythm and fresh injections of energy, reinforcing the sense that the squad is steering toward a decisive stretch of the season. The analysis below captures the essential elements of Sánchez’s role and the broader tactical narrative that carried OM to victory. [Goal]
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