Marseille 2 – 2 Nancy, the debriefing….

By: Magnusson | August 19th, 2007

The first goal came at the 21st minute by Mamadou Niang on a service by Taye Taïwo. Even though he was not 100% fit, Mamadou Niang was easily the best player on any team tonight. And Taïwo that I have been quick to dismiss after Laurent Bonnard’s convincing performances proved me wrong by giving this extremely accurate lefter to Niang.

The score could have been doubled a few minutes later with Djibril Cissé trying to lob the keeper. It was a very nice initiative.

Then finally the second goal came at the beginning of the second half. On a beautiful personal movement by Karim Ziani, Djibril Cissé outspeeds his opponent and places it under the goalkeeper’s armpit. Everything was supposed to be great from that point on.

But no, because fifteen minutes later, after several attacks on Nancy’s side, the player most supporters like to identify with because of his fighting spirit, Lorik Cana just fights too hard and causes us a penalty. Carasso touches it but it won’t be enough. And who better to crucify us than Benjamin Gavanon, Marseille native and Rolland Courbis protégé, formed at the Club and who played with us during the centennial year before leaving for Englang like Flamini did later.

And to put the final nail in the coffin, Youssouff Hadji for the eaqualizer. The only thing we can say is that Nancy deserved it because they never stopped believing when we look hella shook once Niang and Nasri were substituted.

At the end of what was really the most exciting game of the season yet, all teams combined, Marseille showed some promise, Moussilou proving dangerous and Lorik Cana was eager to right the wrong and touched the bar. But it was “maktoub” (as Rami would say) that Nancy would not take any more goals tonight. Braccigliano didn’t touch it, the ball hits the bar, then his back then the other bar while he can’t do anything about it. At the last minute, this got our adrenaline pumping