In a closely contested match at the Orange Vélodrome, Toulouse put up a solid defensive display to earn a hard-fought 0-0 draw against Marseille, ending the Olympians’ eight-match head-to-head winning streak. Marseille, despite avoiding defeat in their first four Ligue 1 matches, had been underwhelming in their performances so far this season. The frustration was evident, especially after squandering valuable points against 10-man Nantes before the international break.
From the onset, Marseille seemed determined to break their goal drought. They registered an impressive 13 shots in the first half alone, but their lack of cutting edge was evident. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s attempts to shoot from anywhere proved ineffective, and the team struggled to create clear-cut chances. The Toulouse goalkeeper, Guillaume Restes, made some crucial saves, denying Vitinha’s rasping volley and tipping Renan Lodi’s dipping free-kick against the bar in stoppage time.
This wastefulness in front of goal has been a recurring issue for Marseille. Despite firing an astonishing 26 shots at goal in their previous match against Nantes, they failed to score a second goal. In this encounter, their closest chance came through captain Valentin Rongier, whose glancing header from a Jonathan Clauss delivery hit the woodwork.
As frustration grew, Marseille coach Marcelino turned to his bench to try and change the course of the match. Two substitutes, Iliman Ndiaye and Amine Harit, combined well and went close to scoring. However, Harit’s effort sailed over the bar, leaving the home fans disappointed.
Desperation seemed to set in for Marseille, as evidenced by Vitinha’s theatrical dive in search of a penalty. However, the referee was not fooled, and the Olympians had to settle for their third draw in four league matches.
While Marseille struggled to pose a significant attacking threat, credit must be given to Toulouse for their strong defensive performance. With just one defeat in their first five Ligue 1 matches, Toulouse has proven to be a resilient side. Their away form has been particularly impressive, with only one loss in their last eight road trips.
Advertisements