October 27th, 2007
Lorient VS. Marseille
Matchday 11
Starting XI
GK: S.Mandanda-74
LB: T.Taiwo-78
CB: J. Rodriguez-78
CB: G. Givet-79
RB: Hilton-79
CDM: L. Cana (Captain)-81
LM: C. Gonzalez- 82
RM: C. Jedinka- 81
RS: H. Ben Arfa-75
LS: D. Cisse-79
CF: M. Niang-81
Pre Match Report: Marseille are coming off an 8 game unbeaten streak in all compitions after winning a close one in pk's against Caen last week. Lorient have not had that great of form lately only getting 5 points out of 18 points. They just came off of a win last week in the Coupe De La Ligue 2nd round against Boulogne though. They look to correct there mistakes so far this year and start to head in the right direction. Marseille have the advantage though and should win the game. We will find out soon because here come the teams for the start of the match.
First Half: Lorient Kickoff
4th min- A mistake at midfield by a Lorient player sees new boy Gonzalez take the ball away and pass it up field to Niang. Niang then passes a great through ball to Cisse on the run. Cisse is 1v1 with the keeper but Audard parries it out of bounds for a corner. The corner comes to nothing though.
9th min- Marseille shows off there beautiful passing game around the top of the box. Cisse finally gets the ball and takes a first time shot. His shot misses the goal by a couple feet. Looks as though this is going to be a game where Marseille dominates everything.
12th min- Cisse is just terrorizing this defence today. He takes another shot from the top of the box and Audard hits it out for another corner. The corner rebounds out to Jedinak and he takes a shot and misses his off balance shot by miles.
20th min- Gonzalez gets his first points of the season in Ligue 1 by assisting to Niang. Gonzalez dribbles down the left sideline and beats his man with speed and crosses it into the box. Niang gets his head to it but he looks as though it was a weak off balance header. It floats over Audard and lands in the back of the net.
35th min- The game has started to settle down a little bit and the ball is staying in the midfield with a good battle between the midfields going on.
43rd min- Cisse is doing whatever he please's against this weak Lorient defence. Again he turns them and has a 1v1 with Audard. He takes his shot and it is deflected into the air and Niang gets a first time cross in from the deflection. Ben Arfa is on the back post for the header but Audard makes the save to keep the scoreline from getting any worse.
Halftime Report: Marseille have shown no mercy since this match has started. Lorient has had no shots on goal while Marseille has had 9 and converted 1. Cisse is having the game of his life against this defence today. He can do whatever he wants, I doubt he minds that though. If the second half is like this expect Marseille to put more of there attempts in the net.
Second Half: Marseille Kickoff
47th min- The Lorient players are getting frustrated now and start to foul viciously. M. Ciani is given a warning from the center ref on a hard tackle on Ben Arfa. Freekick 35 yards out. Jedinak takes a shot but misses high and wide.
65th min- Marseille are still dominating the game but instead of shots this half its in possesion. The are possesing the ball very well and not letting Lorient get a chance on goal.
Fulltime: The second half was not as eventfull as the first but Marseille beat this tired and weak Lorient team up and down the field today. Marseille ended up with 15 shots while Lorient had 1. Possesion was 66-44 to Marseille. The only goal of the game came from Niang in the first half. Marseille are starting to show they are serious this season.
Man of the Match: Mamadou Niang
Niang Celebrating his lone goal during the match