On December 22, 2024, Olympique de Marseille put on a stunning display against AS Saint-Étienne, winning 4-0 at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard during the 32nd round of the Coupe de France. The match was characterized by Marseille's overwhelming control, particularly after the home side was reduced to ten men early on.
The turning point came just 21 minutes in when Ibrahim Sissoko received a red card for his challenging of Leonardo Balerdi. The dismissal drastically changed the dynamics of the game, giving Marseille the upper hand.
Following Sissoko's exit, Marseille quickly capitalized on their numerical advantage. Just one minute later, Mason Greenwood opened the scoring with a powerful left-footed shot from the edge of the box, following excellent interplay with Luis Henrique. This goal set the tone for the rest of the match as Saint-Étienne struggled to keep pace.
Marseille's dominance continued, with Adrien Rabiot doubling their lead just before halftime. The midfielder connected beautifully with the ball from a corner, executing a volley past goalkeeper Brice Maubleu, who had no chance of stopping the strike. By halftime, the scoreboard read 2-0 in favor of the visitors, much to the dismay of the home crowd.
Even with their backs against the wall, Saint-Étienne fans continued to support their team loudly, but their hope began to evaporate as Marseille's relentless pressure resulted in two more goals. Luis Henrique made it 3-0 when he found the net after 68 minutes, finishing from close range following confusion among the Saint-Étienne defense.
The final nail in the coffin came with Pierre-Émile Hojbjerg's goal at the 81st minute. He was perfectly positioned at the penalty spot to conclude another quick transition for the visiting team. The Danish midfielder calmly slotted the ball past Maubleu, sealing the 4-0 victory.
Marseille's possession throughout the match stood at an impressive 79%, showcasing their complete control over proceedings. They consistently overwhelmed the home side, creating numerous chances and restricting Saint-Étienne to isolated attacks.
After the match, defender Leo Balerdi expressed satisfaction with the team's performance, stating, "We were serious. It's the Coupe de France; it's different, and we took it very seriously. We did what we had to do. There are small details we can improve, but we're happy to have won 4-0," during his post-match interview with BeIN Sports.
On the other side, AS Saint-Étienne midfielder Mathieu Cafaro reflected on the disappointment, addressing the significant events of the game. "It's difficult. There were important moments, especially the red card and my chance on goal. Now, the Coupe de France is behind us; our real goal is to stay up in Ligue 1," Cafaro stated, indicating the challenges his team faces as they focus on league survival.
This emphatic win marks Marseille's qualification for the next round of the Coupe de France, putting them back on track after their previous league victories over the same opponents just two weeks prior. Meanwhile, AS Saint-Étienne continues to search for answers as they prepare for their upcoming league fixtures with new manager Eirik Horneland set to take charge.
