Marseille FC suffered a setback in the Champions League after a 2-1 defeat to Sporting Lisbon. The match, which saw Marseille reduced to 10 men, has sparked criticism of manager Roberto De Zerbi's tactical decisions.
Daniel Riolo, a football pundit, has heavily criticized De Zerbi's choices, particularly the substitution of Mason Greenwood following Emerson's sending-off. Riolo argued that Greenwood should not have been taken off the pitch, questioning the logic behind the decision.
Marseille initially took the lead through Igor Paixao. However, Emerson's dismissal for a dive before halftime shifted the momentum. Sporting capitalized, with goals from Geny Catamo and Alisson Santos securing the victory for the home side.
"L’OM a donné les trois points au Sporting" (OM gave Sporting the three points), Riolo stated, expressing his disappointment with De Zerbi's coaching. He specifically questioned the decision to replace Greenwood and Arthur Vermeeren with Amir Murillo and Matt O'Riley in an attempt to maintain a five-man defence.
"Jamais je ne sors Greenwood de ce match" (Never would I take Greenwood off in this match), Riolo emphasized, highlighting his disagreement with the manager's approach. He suggested that Aubameyang would have been a more suitable candidate for substitution after Emerson's red card.
The defeat ends Marseille's run of five consecutive wins in all competitions. The team will need to regroup and address the tactical concerns raised by the match if they hope to progress further in the Champions League.
Key Moments of the Match
- Igor Paixao's early goal for Marseille.
- Emerson's red card for simulation.
- Geny Catamo's equalizer for Sporting.
- Alisson Santos's winning goal for Sporting.
- De Zerbi's controversial substitution of Mason Greenwood.
What's Next for Marseille?
Marseille will need to analyze the game thoroughly and address the tactical shortcomings exposed by Sporting. The team faces a crucial period as they aim to bounce back in both the Champions League and domestic competitions.