Three days after qualifying for the semi-final of the Europa League won at the end of the night against Benfica, Olympique de Marseille, weakened by absences, snatched the point of the draw at the very end of the match on the pitch of Toulouse (2-2), Sunday during the 30th day of Ligue 1. While they were heading towards a fourth defeat in a row in the championship, the Marseillais avoided the worst thanks to Moumbagna, who had already allowed Marseille to overthrow Benfica three days earlier. 9th, with one more match to be played next Wednesday at home against Nice, Marseille remains in the race for Europe.
Deprived of many major elements, injured (Mbemba, Merlin, Clauss, Rongier, Sarr) or suspended (Harit, Gigot), the Marseillais knew they were in danger after their crazy European night ended late Thursday following a shooting session to the energy-consuming goal against the Portuguese from Benfica Lisbon. Forced to tinker, Jean-Louis Gasset notably opted for an experimental defense with Onana and Murillo surrounding Balerdi. Joaquin Correa, who had not started an L1 match since November 25, 2023 in Strasbourg (1-1), was also lined up from the start.
Much more physically alert than they could have feared, the Marseillais logically struck first thanks to Jean Onana, who emerged victorious from his aerial duel in the area with Costa after a blocked strike from Veretout (1-0, 38th). A deserved opening score but too quickly spoiled by Marseille’s first big mistake, that of their goalkeeper Pau Lopez whose missed exit from a corner allowed Nicolaisen to equalize with a header without opposition (1-1, 45th 2nd).
The entry into play of Kondogbia, Ndiaye and Moumbagna in place of Veretout, Correa and Aubameyang half an hour from the end did not really change the appearance of a meeting which was now much better controlled by the TFC. A strike above Sierro, while the Swiss international was in an ideal position, could have allowed the Toulouse residents to make the difference (74th) a few minutes after a big scare on the goal from Lopez who was happy to see Diarra too short ( 70th). The worst team in the championship on the road (11 points in 15 matches) OM seemed to lose everything a few minutes later on a goal from Yann Gboho ideally served in the area by Suazo (2-1, 82nd).
Toulouse, which has not beaten Marseille in its Stadium lair since 2007 (7 defeats and 7 draws) was then very close to ending a 17-year drought. That was without counting on Faris Moumbagna, the hero of the week. Launched into a final sprint which promises to be as hot as it is exhausting, OM is now praying for the speedy recovery of the maximum of its vital strength. He will need it to meet a merciless schedule since the Olympians will have to play four matches in sixteen days starting next Wednesday: Lens and Nice at home in L1 and the double confrontation against the Italians of Bergamo for a place in the final of the Europa League. Sixteen days which promise to be hot.