AJ Auxerre pulled off a stunning 3-0 victory over Olympique de Marseille at the Stade de l'Abbé-Deschamps on February 22, 2025, marking their first win since late November.
After enduring more than ten winless matches, Christophe Pélissier's team finally broke the deadlock against the second-placed side, who had previously shown impressive form. Marseille's manager Roberto De Zerbi had spoken of their last meeting earlier this season—when Auxerre bested them 3-1—as pivotal for his team. Despite controlling possession, Marseille failed to create significant threats against Auxerre's defense.
The match began with both teams seeking to establish dominance. Auxerre quickly found their stride, exposing vulnerabilities on Marseille's left flank. Just past the 30-minute mark, Hamed Traorè sent a precise pass to Gaëtan Perrin, who unleashed a curling shot off the crossbar and straight to goal, securing the lead for the hosts.
Marseille rallied briefly but faced a crippling blow when Derek Cornelius received a straight red card after his second yellow for a reckless tackle on Traorè. This incident effectively tilted the game's momentum. With Marseille reduced to ten men, the visitors struggled to regain their footing.
Taking full advantage of their numerical superiority, Auxerre continued pressing. Shortly after Cornelius’ dismissal, they doubled their lead with a penalty kick awarded for foul play by Gerónimo Rulli on Lassine Sinayoko, who had made significant progress down the wing. Brazilian defender Jubal confidently converted the spot-kick down the middle, leaving Rulli with no chance.
The final nail in the coffin came during stoppage time when Jubal scored his second goal, heading home from within the six-yard box. His late effort exemplified Auxerre's revival, leaving supporters ecstatic after such a prolonged drought without victory.
This emphatic win not only boosts Auxerre's morale but also places Marseille under scrutiny as they grapple with potential standings shifts, now trailing behind league leaders Paris Saint-Germain by 13 points. The defeat raises questions about Marseille’s defensive organization and ability to maintain composure under pressure.
The game illustrated tennis-like strategy switches between the two sides, with Auxerre executing their game plan flawlessly, contrasting with Marseille’s disjointed efforts. With new confidence instilled, Auxerre look poised to change the narrative for their season.
Marseille, conversely, must reassess its strategies and tackle what lies ahead, as they are now faced with more significant challenges with such crushing losses. The forthcoming matches will certainly test the character of De Zerbi’s squad.
AJ Auxerre’s remarkable turnaround leaves fans hopeful, and as the league progresses, it’s clear they are no longer the team struggling at the bottom of the table. Instead, they’ve crafted new narratives of resilience, illustrating football's unpredictable nature.