Marseille secured a crucial 3-1 victory over Lens on Saturday, keeping them firmly in the chase for the Ligue 1 title, with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) still leading the table. The win was a much-needed boost for Marseille, especially after struggling with their form recently, having lost two out of their last five league matches. With the victory, they remain in third place, nine points shy of PSG and just three behind Monaco in the second spot. This match came after PSG and Monaco both won on Friday, making it essential for Marseille to reclaim momentum and avoid letting their deficit grow to at least 11 points.
Under the guidance of their new coach Roberto De Zerbi, Marseille’s initial strong start had been hampered by inconsistent performances, including a heavy 3-0 defeat to PSG and a surprising 3-1 loss to Auxerre just before the international break. The importance of the match against Lens was underscored by De Zerbi’s determination to restore confidence among his players. His reflection on the match highlighted it as a significant demonstration of character from his squad, signaling their intent to bounce back from previous disappointments. Looking ahead, the challenge will intensify as they prepare to host second-placed Monaco at the Stade Vélodrome.
Despite Marseille’s eventual success, the first half saw Lens being the more dominant side, with their attacking play posing challenges for the visitors. Marseille depended heavily on goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli, who made key saves to keep the game goalless through the first half. It was not until the second half that Marseille began to assert control. Valentin Rongier broke the deadlock just four minutes into the period, showcasing great composure as he converted a chance set up by Neal Maupay’s strong hold-up play, allowing Marseille to take a crucial lead.
Building on the momentum, Luis Henrique added a second goal for Marseille in the 57th minute, curling a clever finish from the right side of the box after a swift break that left Lens exposed. However, the match took a tense turn as Lens fought back and managed to score through Angelo Fulgini in the 80th minute, putting pressure on Marseille. Tensions heightened further when Remy Labeau Lascary found the net for what he thought was the equalizer just five minutes later. However, a VAR review revealed a foul in the buildup, resulting in the goal being disallowed, much to the dismay of the home fans.
This turn of events provided Marseille with a critical opportunity to solidify their lead. With the game nearing its end, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg sealed the victory for the visitors with a powerful free-kick from the edge of the box in the dying moments of the match. His goal, stemming from the foul that had just denied Lens an equalizer, not only ensured the three points for Marseille but also served as a statement of their resilience in the face of adversity. This win allowed Marseille to regain some confidence and momentum ahead of their crucial clash against Monaco.
In other Ligue 1 action on Saturday, Saint Etienne secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Montpellier, a result that could have significant ramifications for the relegation battle later in the season. Benjamin Bouchouari’s goal shortly after halftime lifted Saint Etienne to 13th place, while Montpellier continues to struggle at the bottom of the table with only two victories from their first dozen matches. Meanwhile, a closely contested match was anticipated later on Saturday as Lyon traveled to Reims, with both teams aware that a victory would elevate them into fourth place provisionally, thereby intensifying the battle for European qualification in the league standings.
