USG 2-3 Marseille Player Ratings: Mason Greenwood Rated 9/10 as HIs Brace Secures Thrilling 3-2 Victory

What an absolutely chaotic and thrilling Champions League encounter we just witnessed! From our perspective, this was a classic European night filled with goals, drama, and some outstanding individual performances. The final score of 3-2 to Olympique Marseille barely tells the full story of this end-to-end battle against a spirited Union Saint-Gilloise side at Lotto Park.

The hosts, Union Saint-Gilloise, exploded out of the blocks. They stunned the visitors by taking the lead within five minutes through a fantastic strike from Anan Khalaili. But Marseille showed their character, hitting back just ten minutes later. Igor Paixão finished coolly to level the scores. It felt like a heavyweight boxing match, with both teams trading blows.

Just when we thought it would be level at the break, Mason Greenwood announced his arrival with a clinical finish on the counter. He wasn't done there, adding a second after halftime to give Marseille a two-goal cushion. Anan Khalaili pulled one back for the Belgians to set up a nail-biting finish, but Marseille held on for a massive away win in this gripping match.

Here are USG Vs Marseille Player Ratings

Marseille Player Ratings vs USG

Here are Marseille Player Ratings vs USG

Goalkeeper

Gerónimo Rulli - 7.0: He conceded two goals, but let's be honest, he couldn't do much about either finish. What stood out to us were his crucial saves late in the game. He made four saves in total, including a couple of vital stops in the dying minutes that preserved the win. His distribution was solid enough, and he commanded his area when needed. A reliable performance under pressure.

Defenders

Nayef Aguerd - 7.0: A really composed performance at the heart of the defence. We noticed his excellent reading of the game, reflected in his five interceptions. He was a calming presence on the ball, with an impressive 96% pass accuracy. Made six clearances and won most of his duels. He was a big reason Union SG didn't score more.

Emerson - 6.5: A steady, if unspectacular, game from the fullback. He did his defensive duties diligently, making four clearances and three interceptions. He was tidy in possession for the most part. However, he was caught out a couple of times and lost the ball in dangerous areas. An average performance overall.

Amir Murillo - 7.0: A bundle of energy down the right flank. He was constantly running, supporting the attack and tracking back to defend. Won six of his nine duels and even managed to create a chance. His work rate was immense, and he provided a great outlet for his team throughout the 90 minutes.

Midfielders

Arthur Vermeeren - 6.5: The metronome in midfield. He kept possession ticking over with an incredible 93% pass accuracy from 85 passes. What we saw was a player who rarely gave the ball away. However, he lacked that cutting edge in the final third. A safe and solid performance, but we wanted to see a bit more risk from him.

Pierre-Emile Højbjerg - 7.0: A true captain's display. He was absolutely everywhere, racking up a massive 107 touches. He controlled the tempo of the game, broke up play with crucial tackles and interceptions, and led by example. His experience was vital in navigating the chaotic final stages of the match. A really strong outing.

Timothy Weah - 6.0: An energetic but frustrating first half for the American. He got into some promising positions and was involved in the build-up play. However, his final product was lacking. He picked up a yellow card and was substituted at halftime, which felt like the right call.

Forwards

Mason Greenwood - 9.0: Simply sensational. This was the performance that won Marseille the game. Two absolutely clinical finishes demonstrated his elite quality. He was a nightmare for the opposition defenders, constantly drifting into dangerous areas. From our perspective, he was the undisputed man of the match and our highest-rated player. A truly special performance.

Igor Paixão - 8.0: Scored the vital equalizer with a powerful strike into the top corner. Beyond his goal, he was a constant threat with his pace and direct running. He never stopped working for the team, both offensively and defensively. His goal changed the momentum of the entire game.

Matt O'Riley - 7.5: A classy performance from the midfielder. He laid on a perfect assist for Greenwood's second goal, showing great vision and awareness. He was so tidy on the ball and always looked to play forward. His creativity was a key part of Marseille's attacking success before he was substituted.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang - 8.0: He may not have scored, but his contribution was immense. Two assists for the veteran striker, including a brilliant setup for Greenwood's first. His intelligent movement and link-up play were top-class. A selfless, intelligent, and highly effective performance leading the line.

Substitutes

Leonardo Balerdi - 6.5: Came on at halftime for Weah and immediately made the defence look more secure. He was solid and didn't put a foot wrong. A smart substitution that helped Marseille gain control.

Bilal Nadir - 6.0: Replaced the creative O'Riley and brought fresh legs to the midfield. He helped see out the game without doing anything spectacular. A functional cameo.

Geoffrey Kondogbia - N/A: Brought on late to add some defensive muscle and run down the clock.

Robinio Vaz - N/A: Replaced the star of the show Greenwood in the final minutes.

Manager

R. De Zerbi - 7.5: From our perspective, he got his tactics spot on. After a shaky start, his team's counter-attacking plan worked to perfection. His decision to bring on Balerdi at halftime was a masterstroke, as it solidified the defence. He managed the game well in the final stages to secure a massive three points.

USG Player Ratings vs Marseille

Here are USG Player Ratings vs Marseille

Goalkeeper

Kjell Scherpen - 5.5: A tough night for the keeper. He conceded three goals and only made two saves. Perhaps he could have done better on Greenwood’s first goal. He looked a bit exposed by his defence but didn't make any standout saves to keep his team in it. Not his finest hour.

Defenders

Kevin Mac Allister - 6.5: He actually scored a goal and had another one disallowed by VAR, which is impressive for a defender. However, he was part of a backline that was carved open on multiple occasions. A strange game for him, full of action at both ends of the pitch.

Christian Burgess - 5.0: The captain had a torrid time against Marseille's fluid attack. He struggled to deal with the movement of Aubameyang and Greenwood. He picked up a yellow card and looked a yard off the pace. A very difficult evening for the experienced defender.

Fedde Leysen - 5.5: Similar to his defensive partners, he found the going tough. He was dribbled past on a couple of occasions and his positioning was questionable at times. He made a few clearances but was part of a defence that looked vulnerable all night.

Midfielders

Kamiel Van De Perre - 7.0: One of the few bright spots for the home side. He was combative and tenacious in midfield, impressively winning all nine of his duels. He put in a real shift, making tackles and trying to drive his team forward. A performance full of heart.

Adem Zorgane - 6.5: He saw plenty of the ball and used it well, boasting a 90% pass accuracy. He tried to dictate play from deep but struggled to unlock the Marseille defence. Picked up a yellow card for a cynical foul. A tidy but ultimately ineffective performance.

Rob Schoofs - 6.5: Provided a lovely assist for the opening goal and looked dangerous in the first half. His influence faded as the game went on, and he was substituted just after the hour mark. A decent showing while he was on the pitch.

Ousseynou Niang - 4.5: A truly frustrating night for the midfielder. He was caught offside an incredible four times, which killed his team's momentum repeatedly. He lost possession 19 times and offered very little in an attacking sense. Easily the worst performer on the pitch from our view.

Anan Khalaili - 8.5: What a player. He was magnificent for Union SG. He scored two brilliant goals and was a constant threat throughout the match. Created three chances for his teammates and never stopped running. It was a fantastic individual display in a losing cause. He deserved better.

Forwards

Kevin Rodríguez - 5.5: He worked tirelessly but lacked the quality to make a real difference. His pass completion of 56% tells its own story. He won a good number of duels but was often let down by his final touch or decision.

Raul Florucz - 5.0: A very quiet game. He was largely anonymous and struggled to get involved, touching the ball only 23 times in 64 minutes. It was no surprise to see him substituted. A forgettable performance.

Substitutes

Sofiane Boufal - 6.5: His introduction provided a much-needed spark. He looked lively and forced a couple of decent saves from the goalkeeper. Added a bit of unpredictability to the attack.

Promise David - 6.0: Brought energy and had a couple of late chances but couldn't find the back of the net. He was a nuisance but lacked composure.

Mathias Rasmussen - N/A: A late change with little time to make an impact.

Marc Giger - N/A: Another late substitute.

Ross Sykes - N/A: Brought on in the final moments.

Manager

D. Hubert - 6.0: His team's fast start was impressive, but he had no answer for Marseille's devastating counter-attacks. His defence looked disorganized and vulnerable throughout the game. His substitutions added some attacking impetus, but the defensive frailties had already cost his team the match.

Sportsdunia's player of the match is Greenwood