Soccer
Marseille suffer late setback as fans make feelings known
Marseille’s unhappy fans saw their hopes of securing European football next season take another blow as Nice snatched a late point at the Orange Velodrome.
Before kick-off the home fans made their dissatisfaction plain, holding up banners questioning the leadership of the club and the commitment of the players, and they booed the team off after a goalless first period against the Ligue 1 strugglers.
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg’s header looked to change the mood but Elye Wahi notched from the penalty spot in the 88th minute leave OM with one win in five games and just two points clear in sixth place.
Habib Beye’s side dominated possession but squandered a number of openings. Arthur Vermeeren headed an early chance too close to Yehvann Diouf but the most wasteful culprit was Leonardo Balerdi, who hit two hopeful attempts well wide and also produced two underwhelming headers on goal.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang did better when he took aim on the half-hour but Diouf was alert enough to make the save. Nice were embattled for most of the time, Morgan Sanson’s wayward effort just before the half-time whistle ending a rare foray in attack.
The pressure finally told in the 66th minute as Marseille worked the ball to Tochukwu Nnadi, who sent a hanging cross towards the penalty spot. Hojbjerg sniffed out the chance expertly, drifting between two defenders and stooping to head low into the bottom corner.
Having worked hard for the advantage, they almost gave it away after sloppy work from goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli, who was spared by Kail Boudache’s poor finish.
Nice had a second chance to draw level late on when Tadjidine Mmadi was penalised for tripping Jonathan Clauss in the area. Rulli and Weah were both booked for disputing the decision but they only delayed the outcome, as Wahi slotted his spot-kick down the middle.
