ZoltaR
16 Jan 2006, 06:34 AM
OM 1-0 Rennes: OM are back in the race
OM defeated Rennes at the Stade Vélodrome thanks to a goal from new recruit Pagis. A precious win that sees Marseille climb back up to sixth place in the standings.
OM 1-0 RENNES
1-0: Pagis (65)
Finally, OM has recorded its first league win of 2006, a match hotly contested, but oh how important! Jean Fernandez and his troops also latch back on to the leading group with 35 points. A sixth place, well within reach of the podium (three points behind Auxerre in third), but which could change after Saint-Etienne’s match was called off due to a frozen pitch. Despite a Rennes side also well placed on the league table, OM were able to break the deadlock at the ideal moment of the match: Just after the hour mark as both sides traded blow for blow. The Olympians finally knocked their opponents out thanks to an uppercut, signed Pagis. He, who wanted so badly to have a good debut at the Vélodrome, delivered a goal full of opportunism permitted his side to unlock a match that was looking more and more hemmed in, with each passing minute.
The situation could have been much easier from the outset, had a Rennes player been sent off. Maoulida set of for goal and was pulled back by his shirt by defender Adailton, but the Brazilian only received a yellow card (5’). Despite this explosive start, the first half was seriously lacking in offensive arguments. There was a lack of speed in the Olympian camp in the opening 45 minutes that Jean Fernandez commented on in his post-match interview. It could, however, have been worse for OM, as Frei, twice (14’ and 40’) could have scored.
But midway through the second half something had to give. Both sides traded blows and it seemed only a matter of time before one fell. Källström missed the unmissable, in front of Barthez (60’) before Cana saw his free-kick punched clear by Pouplin (61’). Delfim then saved his side with a last-ditch tackle to deny Frei, before Briand saw his cross flash acrossthe face of the Marseille goal. And then finally Delfim shot from 25 metres out, and Pagis was on hand to deflect the ball passed Pouplin with his shoulder (65’, 1-0). The advantage on the scoreboard immediately translated to an advantage on the pitch. Maoulida had a series of chances to double the mark, yet three times he found the Brittany ‘keeper (69’, 72’, 75’). The goal from his partner in attack proved enough however, for the Phocéen public to celebrate the win – a victory that allows OM to keep in contact with the leading bunch as well as claim three points from a direct rival. OM are now faced with a series of manageable games until mid-February (Ajaccio, Sochaux, Metz, Troyes, Toulouse).
OM defeated Rennes at the Stade Vélodrome thanks to a goal from new recruit Pagis. A precious win that sees Marseille climb back up to sixth place in the standings.
OM 1-0 RENNES
1-0: Pagis (65)
Finally, OM has recorded its first league win of 2006, a match hotly contested, but oh how important! Jean Fernandez and his troops also latch back on to the leading group with 35 points. A sixth place, well within reach of the podium (three points behind Auxerre in third), but which could change after Saint-Etienne’s match was called off due to a frozen pitch. Despite a Rennes side also well placed on the league table, OM were able to break the deadlock at the ideal moment of the match: Just after the hour mark as both sides traded blow for blow. The Olympians finally knocked their opponents out thanks to an uppercut, signed Pagis. He, who wanted so badly to have a good debut at the Vélodrome, delivered a goal full of opportunism permitted his side to unlock a match that was looking more and more hemmed in, with each passing minute.
The situation could have been much easier from the outset, had a Rennes player been sent off. Maoulida set of for goal and was pulled back by his shirt by defender Adailton, but the Brazilian only received a yellow card (5’). Despite this explosive start, the first half was seriously lacking in offensive arguments. There was a lack of speed in the Olympian camp in the opening 45 minutes that Jean Fernandez commented on in his post-match interview. It could, however, have been worse for OM, as Frei, twice (14’ and 40’) could have scored.
But midway through the second half something had to give. Both sides traded blows and it seemed only a matter of time before one fell. Källström missed the unmissable, in front of Barthez (60’) before Cana saw his free-kick punched clear by Pouplin (61’). Delfim then saved his side with a last-ditch tackle to deny Frei, before Briand saw his cross flash acrossthe face of the Marseille goal. And then finally Delfim shot from 25 metres out, and Pagis was on hand to deflect the ball passed Pouplin with his shoulder (65’, 1-0). The advantage on the scoreboard immediately translated to an advantage on the pitch. Maoulida had a series of chances to double the mark, yet three times he found the Brittany ‘keeper (69’, 72’, 75’). The goal from his partner in attack proved enough however, for the Phocéen public to celebrate the win – a victory that allows OM to keep in contact with the leading bunch as well as claim three points from a direct rival. OM are now faced with a series of manageable games until mid-February (Ajaccio, Sochaux, Metz, Troyes, Toulouse).