That Hurts!

By: Richard | December 17th, 2011

   

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Matthieu Valbuena is going to give me a heart attack. His late game Rambo antics have yet again left me without a voice. While today’s win against Lorient was not quite as epic as the late one against Dortmund, it came damn close….

The match save for the last ten minutes was extremely disappointing for us. Lorient went down to ten men in the 32nd minute and automatically I assumed we had this in the bag. Yet the fish served to be ever stubborn as the only opportunities we really had were two free kicks from Valbuena that didn’t connect. What annoyed me particularly in the first half was how easy the Lorient players seemed to fall from little or no contact. I mean if guys like Valbuena or Jordan Ayew are bossing you around on the pitch, hit the gym.

The second half saw Deschamps switch Cheyrou in at the expense of Diarra adding a bit more pace and attack to the midfield. Things finally began to heat up around the 50th minute when OM finally set their sight in goal. Yet Lorient still persisted as shots by Amalfitano, Cheyrou, and Remy were either ballooned over the net, deflected, or just fell short. Lorient keeper Audard sure had his hands full and things only got worse for the guy when he unfortunately stretched out his groin. I cant even imagine the pain of such an injury yet Audard soldiered on and stayed in the match.

The match looked as if it was heading to another scoreless tie until Innocent Emeghara once again exposed how fragile our defense truly is by outwitting both Nkoulou and Mandanda to give Lorient the lead. Going down 0-1 (76th, 0-1) whatever, but conceding to a team that only has en men, that’s just embarrassing. With the season hanging in the balance, OM finally put Lorient against the wall when Valbuena curled in a beauty of a shot that left Audard and the rest of Lorient dumbfounded (84th, 1-1). But did “Le Petit Vélo” revel and celebrate in his equalizer? Just a wave of the hand as to speed things up, after all there was still work to be done. The last ten minutes of the match Lorient did everything they could to hold on. Remy was unlucky with a header and Amalfitano had a rocket of a shot saved by Audard. Then in the final seconds of the match Valbuena was awarded a controversial free kick on the edge of the box. Somehow finding an unmarked Cheyrou who did the rest as he headed in the winner (94th, 2-1). Another great comeback another week where we keep ourselves in the hunt for glory!

Category: French Ligue 1, Match Review

   

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Comments  

• Aditya |  December 19th, 2011 at 9:09 pm

  
  
  

  That was really close. I went from being really angry to being really happy in an instant! All was forgiven at final whistle.

  

• John |  December 19th, 2011 at 11:31 pm

  
  
  

  tomorrow’s match means a lot. a lot a lot. last time we’ll see the Ayews for two months, and a win and a few loses by others can put us as high as 5th. Saint Etienne has PSG, Toulouse have Brest, who might seem as a lowly club, but are coming off a win and are 2-1-3 in their last five. I could see an upset there, if not a draw which will help us a lot. Hopefully tomorrow’s match is exciting and comes out with a positive victory for our boys.
  We lose the Ayew(s) (I think Jordan will end up going, which I think may be good for him, especially if he gets some good minutes), Kabore (who might be gone in January anyways), and Diawara (it’s rough when old guys get a lot of playing time. Old guys also are more prompt to injuries too. He’s been solid as of late and has worked well with Nkoulu.
  But my favorite part about this holidays in January transfer market! Drogba can be ruled out I guess (http://justchelsea.com/drogbas-leave-is-confirmed-by-marseille-officials/4089) and Sessegnon is apparently keen to stick around at Sunderland (http://justchelsea.com/drogbas-leave-is-confirmed-by-marseille-officials/4089). What do you guys think? The question is not will we make a move, but who will we go after. APG is still linked to move to England (THANK GOD). I’m excited!

  

• Aditya |  December 20th, 2011 at 11:32 am

  
  
  

  Technically we can go 4th John but that would mean PSG win against ASSE so 5th is good enough .

  I would not like Sessegnon one bit. I hope we get good money for Gignac. Even Lucho can leave if he wants to. We need to sign good utility players to replace Gignac & Lucho to be effective on the pitch while salary driving cost down. We will be getting replacement for Ayew, Gignac and whoever leaves. Not sure who we should sign though.

  

• Aditya |  December 20th, 2011 at 3:56 pm

  
  
  

  Good win against Nancy. I forgot about Lyon. We can best be at 5th .

  I hope PSG & ASSE draw. As do Toulouse & Rennes. Couple all that with a Montpellier draw and things would be nicely setup for next half of season.