Two defeats at the Vélodrome in just four days have all but ended the hopes of passionate Marseille fans to end a drought that has lasted since the 2012 celebration of the now-defunct League Cup.
Sunday’s crushing 3-0 drubbing of PSG prevented second-placed Marseille from falling to within two points and eight points behind the Ligue 1 leaders. A defeat that hurts, but is within the realm of possibility considering that the rival is in the attack of two world figures like Leo Messi and Kylian Mbappé. Between them they scored three goals: the Argentine scored one and gave the other two to his teammate. The French also helped Leo in his.
A shameful elimination
Instead, Wednesday’s loss was unexpected, embarrassing. Modest Annecy, with the second lowest budget in Ligue 2, reached the semifinals of the French Cup for the first time in its history after eliminating Marseille on penalties (2-2, 6-7).
An unforgivable disaster since Igor Tudor’s team became the clear favorites of the tournament after eliminating PSG in the previous round of 16 (2-1).
“It’s hugely disappointing, very sad,” Tudor acknowledged. “We were left in a competition where we eliminated PSG and Rennes, it’s crazy.” Rennes, fifth in Ligue 1, fell 1-0 in the 1/16 final at the Vélodrome
Guendouzi speaks of “professional misconduct”
Marseille midfielder Mattéo Guendouzi even called the performance “professional misconduct” and admitted there were no excuses. “There is more than disappointment, there is anger. We will have to face it.”
Just a week ago, Marseille launched after suffering one defeat in 14 games in Ligue 1 and the Cup and their fans were fired up with another defeat at PSG.
The devastating 0-3 defeat leaves the only Frenchman to win the Champions League, in 1993, with hopes of going another season without winning Ligue 1, a title he has won nine times but contested since 2010. Meanwhile, the last of his Ten Cups dates back to 1989. In Europe, they came last in the group stage of the Champions League behind Tottenham, Eintracht and Sporting de Portufgal.
The runner-up, the most realistic goal
With thirteen days remaining, the most realistic goal remaining for Marseille is to maintain second place and achieve automatic qualification for the 2023-24 Champions League. He took two points from Lens and Monaco, six from Rennes, who he will visit on Sunday in an important match to end a difficult week and recover the sensations.
Source: La Verdad
I am Shawn Partain, a journalist and content creator working for the Today Times Live. I specialize in sports journalism, writing articles that cover major sporting events and news stories. With a passion for storytelling and an eye for detail, I strive to be accurate and insightful in my work.
