Uncomprehensible!

By: Magnusson | November 16th, 2008

We dropped the ball big time last night. I still don’t understand what happened. It’s impossible to wrap my head around it. We started the game very well, as has been the case lately, we scored early enough to have some serenity and not exhaust ourselves. The only regret of the first half being that we could have scored twice more and it would have been the same exact thing. Well we did not. First Mamadou Niang at the fourth minute outspeeds two Lorient defenders just to see his blow reach the post and himself not able to push it ionside the net. This was not that good a sign but we managed to score six mlinutes later when Benoit Cheyrou, probably still a little hurt not to have been called up with Les Bleus, did a little number on the briton’s defense after Valbuena sent him the ball, waited a little bit and passed it back for Niang and Ben Arfa who did not anticipate well enough, but this gave Karim Ziani enough time and space to place a beautiful shot from outside the penalty area. The second goal this season for the Algerian international, himself on the road to redemption with the Marseillais fans.

After this goal, Marseille just kept the game in control, not having much more occasions but just cruising til half-time. Aside from a very active Valbuena, our whole team seemed apathic.
Coming back from the locker rooms, Karim Ziani had been replaced by Elliott Grandin after a light uinjury at the end of the first half. Grandin was an interesting addition to the offensive quatuor and proved his coach he should get more playing time. By the 60th minute, the game seemed to be a lock after referee Eddie Chapron gave us what might have been the most generous penalty we’ve received this season (it’s okay because he didn’t call two flagrant ones, so this one was to make up for the one he had already missed and the one that was about to take place). The notoriously cool-headed Mamadou Niang easily scored his fifth goal of the season.

And that’s when Mrs Lagrange’s festival started. The assistant referee made a name for herself in her first high-profile game as the referee who couldn’t follow Mamdou Niang. Twice over between the 62nd and 70th minute, she called imagniary offsides. The second one was the most embarassing for her since Nioang scored a goal and had to wait the five seconds it took him to run to the corner and celebrate to see her call the offside. Apparently, Christian Gourcuff’s constant whining paid off (I like this coach but every one needs a flaw. This is his.)
BUt blaming the refs for taking three goals in 11 minutes would be too easy. We were once again starting to pat ouselves on the back and the game was not even over yet. Steve Mandanda is looking, dare I say it, mortal and ordinary again. He’s still the best in the league no question but he’s less extra-terrestrial-like. He took three goals and we could have been scored upon more if not for him. That’s the more disgusting part. Okay, once in awhile we need to be reminded that if we want to win, everyone will need to be involved in the defensive tasks as we were against Eindhoven and Grenoble.
Maybe it is a good thing we lost since we are still second and four points away from Lyon but we could have been able to put the pressure on them before a game everyone knows we’ll be focused for. NOw all we have to do is to cheer for Bordeaux hard tonight. If lyon is seven points away, then it’s practically a done dealm for those kids.

BTW, I would like to apologize for the lack of updates. My rock.
Life happens, buèt we’re back.
A recap of the last two months is on the way.