Ligue 1: Marseille fight back at Angers to climb to ninth

Olympique de Marseille earned a spectacular 5–2 victory away to Angers on Sunday 18 October after a match full of twists. Having turned the score around before half-time, Marseille pulled clear late on to claim their third league win of the season and climb to ninth in Ligue 1.

Marseille transformed a difficult start into a convincing victory. Bruno Genesio’s side were initially caught out by the home team’s intensity before gradually gaining the upper hand. Their finishing then made the difference, despite Angers reducing the deficit in the second half.

The hosts made the better start. In the 14th minute, Sbaï got past Egan-Riley on the left and crossed into the penalty area. Kondogbia’s attempted clearance was not enough: the ball was deflected by Raolisoa, who put Angers ahead.

Marseille responded by raising the tempo and launching more attacks. Their early efforts did not find the net, but the pressure eventually paid off. In the 37th minute, Harit found Weah on the right. His cross reached Himad Abdelli, who finished from close range to bring the teams level.

The equaliser gave Marseille fresh momentum. Six minutes later, Kamissoko headed in Emerson’s corner to put the visitors ahead just before the break. The match had changed direction in the space of a few minutes.

Gouiri gives Marseille breathing space

After the interval, Marseille looked to control possession and restrict their opponents’ opportunities to respond. Another decisive opening arrived around the hour mark.

Amine Gouiri was brought down by Belkhdim inside the penalty area and the referee pointed to the spot. The Marseille forward took responsibility, but the Angers goalkeeper saved his attempt. Gouiri followed up, however, and put the rebound into the net in the 60th minute to make it 3–1.

Angers refused to give up. Nnadi’s foul on Arcus in the penalty area gave the hosts a chance to get back into the contest. El Ouazzani converted the penalty in the 75th minute, reducing the deficit to 3–2 and renewing the uncertainty with a quarter of an hour remaining.

Marseille did not allow that uncertainty to last. In the 83rd minute, Amine Harit found space on the edge of the penalty area and scored to restore the visitors’ two-goal cushion. Two minutes later, Paixão met Weah’s headed lay-off to score Marseille’s fifth. Those two goals in quick succession settled the contest.

A win that lifts Marseille up the table

Despite their early difficulties and the penalty conceded in the second half, Marseille responded at important moments. Their ability to turn chances into goals allowed them to overcome an Angers side who had kept their hopes alive going into the final quarter of an hour.

The 5–2 victory is Marseille’s third Ligue 1 win of the season and takes them to ninth, with nine points from seven games. Angers are fifteenth with seven points. Marseille now have an opportunity to build momentum, provided they can follow this performance with further results.