Olympique de Marseille played against Le Havre on January 7, 2025, at the Stade Vélodrome, concluding the 16th matchday of Ligue 1 with a resounding 5-1 victory. The match showcased the Marseillais' impressive form, propelling them to remain second in the league, seven points behind leaders Paris Saint-Germain.
From the outset, Marseille asserted dominance over the struggling Le Havre side, who have not won since late November. They were diminished even more after suffering elimination from the Coupe de France just days prior. The starting eleven for Le Havre featured André Ayew, who returned to the Vélodrome, where he was once adored, alongside Ilyes Housni. Meanwhile, coach Roberto De Zerbi chose to give Bilal Nadir his first start of the season.
Early on, the Phocéens seized control of the game. Just 15 minutes in, Rabiot was close to scoring as he shot over the bar. But it was Valentin Rongier who opened the scoring with a sublime strike from outside the box, finding the bottom corner after capitalizing on a defensive error (1-0). The stadium erupted as the fans began to sense the potential for another great night for their team.
Despite being warned early on, Le Havre could not contain the Marseillais. Nadir doubled the lead when he struck with precision from just inside the area following good buildup play (2-0) just before halftime. With the momentum fully on their side, Marseille scored again, with Neal Maupay heading home from close range, making it 3-0 just before the break.
The second half saw little respite for Le Havre. The team barely registered any attacking threats, struggling to keep the ball or muster forward. Just when it seemed like they may stabilize, it was Elye Wahi who added to the woes of the Havre players, sliding the ball past the goalkeeper after being served by Mason Greenwood (4-0).
Throughout the match, Marseille maintained 74% possession, with Le Havre being pressed back deep within their half. The frustration for Le Havre continued until Ulisses Garcia scored from his first touch after coming on to collect the fifth goal for Marseille (5-0), capping off an impressive display. The game seemed destined to end with the visitors silenced and overwhelmed.
Though there was some late consolation for Le Havre when former Marseille star André Ayew headed home to reduce the deficit to 5-1 with minimal time left (85'). His goal was met with applause from the home fans, showcasing the respect they have for his past contributions to the club. "Les gens savent ce que l'OM représente pour moi... c'était très spécial," Ayew remarked after the match on DAZN, reflecting deeply on the connection and memories associated with the club.
Marseille's win is not just valuable for the points it secured; it also reinforced their strong position as they press for the title this season. Serving as a confidence booster, the performance illustrated their attacking prowess and the efficiency of their young talents like Nadir and Wahi. This victory leaves Le Havre hovering just above relegation, still uncertain as they prepare for their next match against Lens.
Valentin Rongier's exceptional performance was key, with him providing not only the opening goal but solid midfield play throughout. He was duly recognized after the match, reinforcing his importance to the team. Meanwhile, Le Havre, still mired near the bottom, must reassess swiftly before facing Lens next, as time is running short for them to escape the relegation zone.