Ligue 1: OM bend Auxerre and return to five points behind PSG

An expensive victory. The Marseillais have long struggled to find the fault against brave Auxerrois but leave with three very precious points in the race for Europe (2-1). It is in evenings like these that we identify credible contenders for the Champions League and with this result, OM are well on their way to hearing the anthem of the most prestigious of competitions resound in their lair.

In a boiling Velodrome, Igor Tudor's players started the game with enthusiasm but without managing to really worry Ionut Radu, the Auxerre goalkeeper. A little rough, like Vitinha in the last gesture (9 shots in total alone), the Marseillais tried a lot. The big problem with this first act was undoubtedly the precision: in 13 attempts, the Olympians did not frame any.

The corners were chained (10 in 45 minutes) but apart from a header from Kolasinac which went just wide (10th) and a mess in the six meters from Auxerre (43rd), the Burgundians did not have too many worries to be done.

It was even them who had the biggest chance in the first act, and it hit home. In an innocuous duel on the left side, Samuel Gigot was guilty of a foul on Mbaye Niang. Gauthier Hein kicked a free kick into the box and Pau Lopez pushed back two points in the middle. Absolutely alone at 25 meters, Birama Touré was quick to send a sumptuous recovery with the flat of the right foot under the bar (33rd). The Auxerre captain, author of his second goal of the season, could exult with his teammates.

Upon returning from the locker room, the meeting quickly turned into a siege of goal kept by Ionut Radu. The Marseillais, stubborn to go through the sides, have again multiplied the centers (more than forty in total) in vain. They found the fault differently: alerted to a precise pass, Cengiz Under, eccentric on the right side, opened the goal with superb control before concluding with a cross shot from the right (76th).

The Auxerre lock was cracked and Matteo Guendouzi, who had just come into play, served Alexis Sanchez in stride. The Chilean, smarter than the Burgundian rearguard, went to adjust Ionut Raud with a shot between the legs (77th). The hardest part was done and the Vélodrome could rejoice.

With this success, OM are five points behind PSG with five games remaining. The gap for the title is probably too wide, but it is also from behind that the Marseillais are performing a good operation: Lens is four points behind. This Tuesday, the Sang et Or match against Toulouse promises to be crucial.