MARSEILLE 0-0 LYON
Ligue 1’s headline fixture of this weekend was between third place Marseille and league leaders Lyon.Marcelo Bielsa’s men have punched above their weight this season,mounting a serious title challenge.More recently Bielsa’s men,have hit a shaky run of form,going four games without a win,including an extremely disappointing home loss to Caen,although last week this run was halted by a terrific 6-1 win over Toulouse.Meanwhile,another side punching well above their weight is Olympique Lyonnais,Hubert Fournier’s side have maintained their position at the top of the table,unexpectedly pushing PSG down into second.Fournier’s side has revolved around academy graduates and his philosophy is becoming clearer as the weeks roll on.A win for Marseille would put them into second place,just a point behind Lyon.However,as long as Lyon take a point from the game,they remain top of the table by two points.
MARSEILLE
Marseille basic shape and line-up
Bielsa’s Marseille lined-up in a 3-3-3-1 formation.
In front of ‘keeper Steve Mandanda a back three of Morel,Romao and Rod Fanni was protected by Gianelli Imbula and wing-backs Dja Djedje and Mendy.Slightly ahead of them through the middle was Andre Ayew who was given almost a free role,Ayew was flanked by two Frenchman,Dimitri Payet and Florian Thauvin who both often drifted wide.The attack was spearheaded by 6ft 1 Andre Pierre Gignac,Bielsa made a controversial decision dropping Batshuayi,considering his brilliant performance in last week’s thumping of Toulouse.
Wing-back purposely isolated to help escape press
Marseille attacked in large numbers,often leaving just two defenders back.In phase one,Marseille played short passes,deep in their own half until an opportunity to switch the play occurred,both wing-backs Dja Djede and Mendy stayed extremely wide,preparing for the switch of play.If the switch of play didn’t become available,Marseille would looked to hit a long and high pass to Gignac.
Defensive shape
Below is an image of Marseille’s defensive structure during Lyon’s phase two of possession.
When defending,two of Marseille’s defenders acted a stoppers,they attacked the high balls and marked Lyon’s strikers,while the spare man,sweeped behind them picking up loose balls and covering.
LYON
Lyon basic shape and line-up
Lyon lined-up in their usual 4-4-2 midfield diamond.
Anthony Lopes started in goal for Lyon hoping to keep up his terrific run of form.A back four from right to left was Jallet,Rose,Umtiti and Bedimo.In front of them was Maxime Gonalons,he operated in deep-lying playmaker role,beginning attacks from deep inside Lyon’s own half,often dropping in between the centre-backs to get on the ball.Academy graduated Jordan Ferri and Corentin Tolisso played in supportive central midfield roles,often as box-to-box players.In the ’10’ role for Lyon was Rachid Ghezzal,who often drove into the ‘9’ position.The two strikers were Nabil Fekir and the inform Alexandre Lacazette.
Rigid structure and strong centrally
Lyon’s full-backs,Jallet and Bedimo defend narrowly.They forced Marseille wide,an area they aren’t as strong in,and pressed from there.If the ball reached an advanced area on Lyon’s flanks,Jallet or Bedimo would press while Gonalons and either Tolisso or Ferri would cover the halfspace,incase Jallet was beaten or Marseille attempted a cutback.In Lyon’s inital press,they were passive.They would allow Marseille’s centre-backs and deepest midfielder time on the ball when central,however,if Marseille played a vertical pass into the second or last third,at least two Lyon players would hunt the ball down instantly and allow Marseille no time.
When Marseille got past Lyon’s initial press with the ball rather than a pass,Tolisso and Ferri would both press the ball while Gonalons would provide cover behind them.
4-3-3 evident in attack
Lyon’s basic shape was a 4-4-2 diamond formation but in attack,it was effectively a 4-3-3.Ghezzal’s movement was focused through the middle,this meaning Lacazette and Fekir looked to make movements in the halfspaces and flanks.
MATCH STATS
POSSESSION:55%-45%
SHOTS(on target):17(6)-11(5)
CLEAR CUT CHANCES:0-2
CONCLUSION:
The 0-0 draw surrounded by controversy,over Javi Morel’s red card and Lucas Ocampos’ shot that no one was sure whether crossed the line or not,was a terrific game tactically.A point was certainly a better result for Lyon who remain top by two points,Marseille falling behind them by four points.Both coaches set their teams up in a balanced way,neither could afford to lose the match so contained each other until the last half hour.Both teams really went for it but neither found a real breakthrough.
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