Two weeks after validating its accession to D1 for the next season, the O.M found the path lands for the 21st day of Group C in D2. The Phocéennes were moving on the ground of Dijon for a match of top of table, even if the stake seemed inevitably lesser. The Marseillaises won 2-0 after being reduced to ten just before half-time. A numerical disadvantage that did not have any impact, on the contrary ...
Before the match against Dijon, Christophe Parra, the Marseille coach set new goals for his team towards the end of the season. A way to remobilize his troops who are now assured to finish first in group C of the D2 and therefore to access the elite next season.
Before the start of the match, the OM players are concentrating while the team's fans are doing the show on the edge of the field
Stay unbeaten until the end of the season, finish best defense of group C (OM was tied with Dijon before the match with 14 goals conceded) or finish D2 champions, so many requirements that seem secondary but that keep the group mobilized until May 22 for the last game of the season.
From the game of bars and cartons
At kickoff, Marseille was already in D1. How to maintain concentration until the end of the season?
Against Dijon, the Olympians are the first to highlight with a first shot by Caroline Pizzala following a free-kick left side (4th). An unframed attempt as well as that of Nora Coton-Pelagie who still passes a few inches from the Dijon left post on a cross shot from the Marseille midfielder (7th).
The first incursions in Marseille before the cannonball Ophélie Cuynet in the 9th minute free kick. A free kick that hits the bar before returning to play without a dijonnaise can again take the ball to the cage Anaïs Hatchi.
The Marseillaises who will also touch wood in the 22nd minute by Pauline Cousin. The midfielder of OM benefits from a ball recovery in the 35 meters Dijon, and sends an air strike that Oceane Lavigne can only accompany to his own goal.
The ball bounces on the bar then falls on the line before returning to play. The Marseille supporters present in the stadium are then convinced that the ball has crossed the line, unfortunately no goal-line technology at the Stade des Poussots to know if the supporters were more attentive than the referee on this action.
Pauline Cousin hits the bar in the first half (22nd). The number 8 of OM will be decisive in the second half
Actions on both sides, but also a heat that overwhelms the twenty-two actresses who take a break at halftime of halftime. In the second part of the first act, the attempts on both sides are less numerous, unlike the cards distributed by the referee, until the red given to Sandrine Brétigny in stoppage time for a very rough tackle in the middle of the field.
At half-time, Marseille is reduced to 10 against 11 with the best scorer of the club excluded from the lawn. At the break Christophe Parra will make two changes, bringing out Léonie Multari and Barbara Bouchet, two players warned Marseille side in the first period.
At halftime, Christophe Parra, the Marseille coach will make changes that will pay and allow OM to take advantage despite the expulsion of Sandrine Brétigny.
A choice that the coach will also justify by the desire to give a second wind to the team on the offensive plan. He returns Maëlle Lakrar and Cindy Caputo, the latter who takes the place of Sandrine Brétigny at the forefront of the attack.
OM at 10, better than 11
What was the coach's speech at half-time? "We came to win, 10, 9, 8, whatever, we are competitors", that's what Christophe Parra will tell us at the end of the meeting. Beyond motivating its players, this discourse materialized in the field with an O.M which proved to be sharper in numerical inferiority. One of the key players of this strong Marseille time is Pauline Cousin, who is positioned as the first recoverer in the midfield behind Cindy Caputo.
An activity that brings Pauline Cousin to be decisive in the 53rd minute. Part in the back of the defense, Pauline Cousin is hooked by Océane Lavigne in the penalty area, causing the reaction of the referee whistle penalty in favor of the O.M. The penalty is imposed by captain Caroline Pizzala who sends the ball to the back of the net.
Caroline Pizzala places the ball on the spot. She will not miss the opportunity to give the advantage to OM
Rather than curl up in defense, Marseille continues to press Dijon high on the ground and create opportunities. This leads to the aggravation of the score in favor of Marseille in the 64th minute. Nora Coton-Pelagie hit in the center in the Dijon camp and serves on the left Cindy Caputo and who gives a shot at the entrance to the left side surface on which Océane Lavigne must bow. 2-0 for OM and the impression of seeing another team at 10, much more attractive than what it produced, in the absence of its most experienced player, Sandrine Brétigny.
Cindy Caputo and Pauline Cousin alongside Christophe Parra. The two Marseille have played a decisive role in the victory of their team in Dijon
Cindy Caputo, she signed her 11th goal of the season in D2 and could have added a goal to her but she sees her shot pushed back by the bar, Cécilia Vignal who followed pushing the ball deep into the net. Cécilia Vignal OM who will be replaced by Hadia Ben Abdelghani after this action, victim of discomfort probably caused by the heat in which the meeting took place.
Kelly Gago (left) and Pauline Desbourdieux. The number 11 of Dijon will have perhaps the best opportunity of the second half for the Burgundians. But his 81st-minute header will find Anaïs Hatchi on his way.
On the Dijon side, attempts will be made every time on Anaïs Hatchi, as in the 59th minute with a free kick by Ophélie Cuynet in the 59th minute or Kelly Gago's header in the six meters in the 81st minute after a good job right side of Maud Serrano. In the last minutes, Dijon will not manage to surprise Marseille who will continue to attack until the end of the meeting.
Opposite trajectories for Caroline Pizzala and Ophélie Cuynet. The Marseille captain will give the advantage to his team while the number 10 Dijon will see his free kick pushed back by the bar early in the game before being expelled in the very last seconds of the game.
The part which will end also on two free-kicks at the beginning of the surface of Dijon. Two free kicks with no impact on the score but which will lead to the expulsion of Ophélie Cuynet after a tackle that will earn him his second yellow of the match.
The players of OM celebrate their victory with the traditional "Aux Armes ..." taken by the few supporters who came to support their team.
At the end of the match, a victory for the players who celebrated their victory with the 20 or so OM supporters of the region who made the trip to Dijon to support the girls. The Marseillaises who are now waiting May 22 and their last game of the season against Nivolas-Vermelle before thinking of the D1. Well, that's what they tell us ...