Olympique Marseille managed to secure a convincing 2-0 victory over Angers SCO at the Stade Raymond Kopa on February 9, 2025, with both goals coming during the second half of the match.
The match held significance for Marseille, currently positioned second in Ligue 1, as they aimed to establish their dominance and maintain momentum against their rivals. Randal Kolo Muani's absence was noted as he dealt with injury concerns which put pressure on the attacking front, leading to key contributions from Adrien Rabiot and Neal Maupay, both of whom played pivotal roles.
Eyes were immediately drawn to Ismaël Bennacer, making his debut for Marseille after signing on loan from AC Milan. With Valentin Rongier sidelined due to illness, Bennacer was tasked with orchestrally balancing both attack and defense, aiming to provide stability as Marseille sought to dominate possession right from the outset.
Throughout the first half, Marseille exhibited promising play but struggled to convert chances. Mason Greenwood, demonstrating early ambition, was noted for firing wide from outside the area, and wing-back Quentin Merlin forced Angers’ goalkeeper, Yahia Fofana, to stretch for saves. Despite their attractive football, Marseille could not find the back of the net, missing opportunities and experiencing frustration at Angers’ resilient defense.
Angers SCO, with their low-block strategy, proved tough to break down, not conceding even after Balerdi’s close-range effort was ruled out due to handball earlier on. Marseille maintained composure and continued pressing for the opener. They had numerous near misses, including Merlin’s strike which flew just wide when he met a cross from Michael Amir Murillo.
The breakthrough for Marseille finally arrived from a set piece. Amine Gouiri, who had already contributed significantly by taking corners and utilizing his creativity, delivered precision from the right flank. Adrien Rabiot met Gouiri’s curling corner with vigor, heading the ball past the Angers keeper, breaking the deadlock with what would be his second consecutive goal from the air.
Just five minutes later, Marseille doubled their lead. Rabiot played a deft through ball to Gouiri, who displayed excellent awareness of the surroundings. After drawing Fofana away from goal, Gouiri selflessly set up Neal Maupay, who made no mistake, sliding the ball skillfully back home and emphatically sealing the 2-0 victory.
This performance solidified Marseille's status as strong contenders for the league title and provided confidence moving forward, particularly after suffering setbacks during previous away fixtures. Notably, this victory over Angers followed their disappointing 2-0 loss to Nice on the road, prompting urgency for redemption which which they answered emphatically.
Looking at player ratings, it was evident many had standout performances. Amine Gouiri was lauded as the man of the match for his contributions, registering assists for both goals and proving to be indispensable as the club integrated their new signing amid fierce competition.
Yet, it wasn’t all about Marseille; Angers found themselves heavily outplayed throughout the encounter. Fofana had his work cut out, reflecting poor ratings across the board for Angers as they failed to manage even one shot on target throughout the 90 minutes.
This omen of potential brings the spotlight back on Marseille, who, under coach Roberto De Zerbi, have shown fresh vigor as they eye potential Champions League qualification, leaving supporters feeling optimistic about the remainder of the season.
Following the match, discussions will turn to how both teams will regroup from this game, with Angers focusing on improving their attack to rectify their previous unbeaten streak being shattered, particularly with next fixtures on the horizon. Meanwhile, Marseille's momentum can serve as their weapon as they continue their pursuit of the league crown.