Marseille’s recent match against Toulouse ended in a 2-2 draw, leaving Benjamin Pavard frustrated after conceding a late equaliser.
This result meant Marseille missed the chance to lead Ligue 1, especially after Paris Saint-Germain’s earlier defeat to Monaco. Pavard expressed his disappointment, stating, “We’re very disappointed. Conceding a goal from a throw-in isn’t normal.”
Roberto De Zerbi’s team had a prime opportunity to top the table following PSG’s loss. However, they fell behind early due to Emersonn’s 14th-minute goal. Despite this setback, Marseille rallied with two quick goals in the second half from Igor Paixao and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, taking the lead.
Unfortunately for Marseille, they couldn’t maintain their advantage. Santiago Hidalgo of Toulouse scored during stoppage time, keeping Marseille just one point behind PSG. Pavard lamented the situation: “We didn’t have a good first half, but we reacted well. It’s a pain in the ***.”
The late goal highlighted a recurring issue for Marseille this season. They have conceded four of their 14 goals in Ligue 1 during the 90th minute or later. Only Lorient has allowed more such goals with five. Pavard stressed the importance of avoiding “silly goals” and not dropping points unnecessarily.
Despite these challenges, Marseille has shown resilience under De Zerbi’s leadership. They have not lost any of their last four Ligue 1 matches when conceding first (W2 D2). Additionally, they have gained 24 points after falling behind since De Zerbi took charge at the start of the 2024-25 season.
Home Form and Upcoming Challenges
Marseille’s home form has been inconsistent recently. They have won only one of their last three home games in Ligue 1 (D1), after previously winning eight consecutive matches at home. The team is set to face Lille on Friday as they aim to improve their standing.
Pavard emphasised the need for focus and determination: “We had to win tonight… We can’t drop silly points like tonight.” As Marseille prepares for their next match, they will be keen to address their defensive lapses and capitalise on opportunities to secure victories.
As Marseille looks ahead, maintaining focus and improving defensive strategies will be crucial for climbing up the Ligue 1 table. Their upcoming match against Lille presents another chance to demonstrate resilience and secure valuable points in their campaign.