It was a tactical change but the manager was ridiculed by everyone including the opponent"s (Rennes) defender after the match. The media defended Sakai and criticized the manager.
🎬 | @hi04ro30ki réagit sur sa prolongation👇 #Hiroki2021 https://t.co/yJBFvW6rhQ— Olympique de Marseille (@OM_Officiel) September 29, 2017
Assisted Marseille's third goal in a 0-3 away win against Kawashima's Metz. Marseille moved to second place as both Monaco and Lyon lost their matches. Kawashima started and played the full match.
Indeed. Here is a video: His assist is on 1:56. P.S. Metz defence is horrible, Kawashima are not to be blamed for the goals he conceded.
Starts in the last group game tonight against Salzburg (Minamino on bench). They can't lose today if they wanna go through.
Starts in OM away game against Lyon: Le 1️⃣1️⃣ de départ olympien ! #LyonOM pic.twitter.com/rqHZiYif0e— Olympique de Marseille (@OM_Officiel) December 17, 2017 A 6-pointer for the CL spots.
Marseille turned things around. won 5-2. And are through to the semi finals. Sakai scored the fifth goal!!
So it is Marseille, Salzburg, Ateltico Madrid and Arsenal for the semi-finals. Two Japanese players in Europa League's semi-finals. It is been a while since last time a Japanese player (or more than one) made it on UCL or Europa League semi-finals. Hopefully one of Sakai or Minamino will make it at least to the final. and hopefully win the title (although Atletico Madrid is obviously the favourite).
A different clip of Sakai's goal with higher sound quality (although English commentary instead of Japanese). The cheers of the crowd are crazy in this one: https://www.clippituser.tv/c/rvzpwy
This was a hugely entertaining game to watch. The atmosphere in the stadium was amazing as was the quality of offensive football. It looked to me that Sakai started in more central defense but was moved to the wing when winger Sarr got injured and CB Good game overall by Sakai, energetic as usual. Scored an empty net goal on his birthday. Also got a yellow card for protestation.
Sakai vs Minamino: The official result of the 2017/18 UEFA Europa League semi-final draw!Who are you backing to go all the way? 🏆#UELdraw pic.twitter.com/PwwONjqyWn— UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) April 13, 2018 So one of them will make it to the final.
Easy peasy first leg. The path to the final is getting clearer. Minamino should have played that game, Hwang was horrendous and Wolf not very effective.