LOSC Lille vs Olympique Marseille Player Ratings: Marseille Suffer Jolt in UCL Race After Goalkeeping Clanger

A goal apiece from either side meant that Marseille could not put distance between them and the other sides behind them in the race for the Champions League spot after a 1-1 draw against Lille in Ligue 1.

Marseille entered this game on the back of four straight away defeats that saw them hold a precarious grip over the second spot. It was thereby logical that Lille entered the game as the slight favorites to win the contest, given that they were on a winning run themselves.

While the neutrals were expecting a fast-paced and thrilling battle between two exciting sides, what transpired was anything but thrilling. It felt like a tactical battle between two teams who were more than content to wait for the other to make a mistake rather than take the game by the scruff of the neck.

In fact, such was the lack of action between the two sides in the first half that the keepers from either side would have been forgiven for taking a book and having a nice, gentle read. In all, there were only three shots in the first half, with atrocious xG ratings of 0.05 and 0.07 registered by both sides, respectively.

Pierre-Emile Højbjerg had the first shot in the 6th minute when he found space from range, but his tame effort was harmless and rolled easily into the arms of the Lille keeper. In fact, the first-half was a period that saw both defenses showcase their qualities in a half that sorely lacked attacking flair at all.

Both sides enjoyed a fairly considerable amount of time with the ball, but that could not be translated into any worthwhile attacking opportunities. The highlight of the half had to be Marseille skipper Balerdi executing a neat Cruyff turn that sent Lille forward Chuba Akpom on his backside.

That was as good as it got as the referee blew the half-time whistle with both teams reasonably happy with what transpired in the half.

The game sprang to life in the second half for a while. Marseille started as the better side as they got the ball rolling with a fierce Rabiot shot that was well-saved by Chevalier. Shortly after, they took the lead after a quick counter. Ulisses Garcia found Rabiot with a beautiful threaded pass, who in turn found Gouiri with a cutback, and the latter made no mistake from close range to give his side the lead.

Lille tried to muster a response, but the Marseille defense did not give them an inch. Just when it felt that the visitors would walk away with the massive 3 points in the bag, their penchant to shoot themselves in the foot manifested in the worst possible way.

Geronimo Rulli made an absolute hash of a pass, which was intercepted by Jonathan David in the box, and his pass found Matias Fernandez, who scored with aplomb to bring his side back on level terms. David had a chance to make it 2-1 almost immediately, but his shot was just above the crossbar.

Eventually, it felt like two points lost for Marseill,e who will now be looking nervously over their shoulder as the chasing pack inch ever so close to them in the race for the UCL spots.

Here are the player ratings for the match.

LOSC Lille Player Ratings

GK- Lucas Chevalier- 5/10

Two tame efforts that he saved with ease. Barely had anything of note to do. Was helpless to stop the opening goal

RB- Thomas Meunier- 5.5/10

Was a bit better than the rest of his peers in defense, but not by much. Was inefficient in his crossing and long balls.

RCB- Aïssa Mandi- 5/10

Guilty of affording too much space for Rabiot to make the run behind him for the opening goal. Was a shame because he was having a good game until then

LCB- Alexsandro Ribeiro- 5/10

Was caught completely out of position as Gouiri ghosted behind him to score the opening goal. Was decent apart from that.

LB- Ismaily- 4.5/10

Was abolsutely wayward in possession as he lost the ball a whopping 14 times, including once which started the move for the opening goal. Could just not find a team-mate even if he tried to. Was booked and then subbed

RM- Hakon Arnar Haraldsson- 5/10

Did not lose the ball much. Tried to keep it ticking on every opportunity.

RCM- Benjamin André- 6/10

Was an all-action performance from the Lille skipper. Completed 86% of his passes, won 8 out of his 9 duels and broke play at every given opportunity.

LCM- Nabil Bentaleb- 5.5/10

Had a free-kick in a very promising area but saw his shot blocked. Did his defensive covering decently.

LM- Matias Fernandez- 6/10

Scored the equaliser after reacting quick to David’s pass. Was a busy presence on Lille’s left flank.

ST- Jonathan David- 6.5/10

Showed quick thinking to pounce on a lousy Rulli pass to assist Fernandez for the equaliser. Almost scored himself but his shot was just over the bar.

ST- Chuba Akpom- 4.5/10

A borderline invisible performance from the former Arsenal man as he struggled to get into the game in any shape or form. Was hooked off at half-time.

Sub- Osame Sahraoui- 5/10

Was equally if not more, ineffective than Akpom. A peripheral figure.

Sub- Gabriel Gudmundsson- 5/10

Made a clearance and a couple blocked shots. Was decent overall.

Sub- Ngal’ayel Mukau- 5/10

A decent outing from the bench. 93% pass completion.

Sub- Mitchel Bakker- N/A

A late sub. Was brought in for defensive cover.

Manager- Bruno Genesio- 5/10

Was lucky to escape with a point after a rather underwhelming showing by his side. The subs failed to impress while the players looked off the pace for majority of the game.

Olympique Marseille Player Ratings

GK- Geronimo Rulli- 4/10

Had absolutely nothing to do until an absolute brainfade from his part gifted Lille the equaliser. Rulli has been prone to stupid decisions like this and this could go on to hurt Marseille big time.

RB- Michael Murillo- 6/10

Had a shot on target that was saved. Was judicious in the usage of the ball but did the basics right throughout the game.

RCB- Leonardo Balerdi- 7/10

Arguably the best defender on the pitch tonight. Composed, read the game well, and was excellent with his distribution. The highlight was obviously the Cruyff turn on Akpom.

LCB- Geoffrey Kondogbia- 5.5/10

Used all his experience to play as he tussled well with Akpom. Did not give him an inch as he kept him in check thoroughly.

LB- Ulisses Garcia-6/10

His pass was the catalyst for the opening goal as he beautifully dissected the Lyon defense with his line-breaking pass. Did equally well on defense to shackle Jonathan David.

CDM- Ismaël Bennacer- 5/10

Was alright as he displayed his tenacity in defense. Lost possession in a dangerous area that led to his booking. Subbed at half-time.

CDM- Pierre-Emile Højbjerg- 6/10

Had a shot early in the first half that was as tame as they get. Was his usual combative self in midfield.

RW- Mason Greenwood- 5.5/10

Had very few opportunities to influence the game. Tried to switch the play when in possession but not much success doing it.

CAM- Adrien Rabiot- 7/10

Was his usual busy self. Dictated play well. Had a shot saved in the beginning of the second half, before providing Gouiri with a cute assist to open the scoring.

LW- Luís Henrique- 5.5/10

His running and industry was visible as he kept working tirelessly on the left flank. Had 4 long balls and a successful dribble.

ST- Amine Gouiri- 6.5/10

One of those days where the strikers of both teams were absolute non-factors. Was so barely involved you’d think he wasn’t playing. And just when it felt he was going to be a passenger, he popped up to score a well-taken opening goal.

Sub- Valentin Rongier- 6/10

Came in and put in a better shift in the middle than Bennacer. Won all his duels and successfully completed all his long passes.

Sub- Quentin Merlin- N/A

A late sub. Was brought in for defensive cover.

Sub- Jonathan Rowe- N/A

A late sub. Did not make much of an impact.

Manager- Roberto de Zerbi- 6.5/10

Got it right for almost the entirety of the game. Had the three points in the bag if not for some shoddy keeping by his number one. Nevertheless, a good showing to stop the run of constant away defeats.

Sportsdunia Player of the Match goes to Adrien Rabiot.