Olympique Marseille reignited their Ligue 1 title ambitions with a commanding 2-0 win against Saint-Etienne on Sunday. Goals from Adrien Rabiot and Mason Greenwood ensured Roberto De Zerbi’s side capitalized on Paris Saint-Germain’s slip-up against Auxerre, closing the gap at the top of the table. Marseille now sit second, trailing PSG by five points, and have overtaken Monaco on goal difference in the standings.
Rabiot’s Historic Comeback Goal
Saint-Etienne began brightly, with Zuriko Davitashvili testing Marseille goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli early in the first half. However, the visitors soon asserted dominance, creating chance after chance. Marseille’s first breakthrough came in the 17th minute, courtesy of Adrien Rabiot. The French international, making a return to Ligue 1, latched onto Neal Maupay’s perfectly timed pass and calmly slotted the ball past Gautier Larsonneur.
Adrien Rabiot’s first goal with Marseille was a GOOD one pic.twitter.com/uEHCXrbbB0
— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) December 8, 2024
This was Rabiot’s first goal in the French top flight since October 20, 2018, marking a significant milestone in his career. The midfielder’s composed finish set the tone for a clinical performance from De Zerbi’s men.
Greenwood’s Decisive Strike
Despite trailing, Saint-Etienne showed resilience in the second half, threatening to equalize with improved attacking play. The hosts, however, lacked the cutting edge to convert their chances. Just as Saint-Etienne seemed to gain momentum, disaster struck in the 65th minute.
Mason Greenwood, Marseille’s in-form forward, was brought down in the box by Louis Mouton. Referee Jerome Brisard awarded a penalty, giving Greenwood the opportunity to double Marseille’s lead. Although Larsonneur saved Greenwood’s initial effort, the Englishman reacted quickly to bury the rebound, notching his tenth Ligue 1 goal of the season.
10 goals with Marseille for Mason Greenwood pic.twitter.com/zTxrbQuRY9
— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) December 8, 2024
Greenwood’s consistent performances have been pivotal for Marseille this season, and his strike effectively ended Saint-Etienne’s hopes of a comeback.
Marseille’s Tactical Superiority
Under Roberto De Zerbi, Marseille displayed tactical discipline and attacking flair. The Italian coach’s decision to deploy Rabiot in a more advanced role paid dividends, while Neal Maupay’s creative presence added dynamism to the attack. Marseille controlled the midfield, limiting Saint-Etienne’s opportunities to counter and nullifying their attacking threats.
De Zerbi’s approach has transformed Marseille into genuine title contenders. By blending experienced players like Rabiot with young talents such as Greenwood, he has created a balanced and potent side capable of challenging PSG’s dominance.
Saint-Etienne’s Struggles Continue
For Saint-Etienne, the loss deepened their relegation concerns. Currently sitting 16th in the Ligue 1 table, Les Verts are just one point above the drop zone. Despite flashes of quality, their lack of consistency and defensive lapses have been costly this season.
The team’s failure to capitalize on early opportunities against Marseille highlighted their struggles in the final third. Manager Laurent Batlles faces a tough task in steering his side clear of relegation as the season progresses.
The Ligue 1 Title Race Heats Up
Marseille’s victory intensifies the Ligue 1 title race. With PSG’s recent struggles and a five-point gap separating the two sides, De Zerbi’s men have a realistic chance to challenge for the top spot. Monaco, sitting just behind Marseille on goal difference, also remain in contention, making this one of the most competitive Ligue 1 campaigns in recent years.
PSG’s goalless draw against Auxerre exposed vulnerabilities in the league leaders, and Marseille’s resurgence under De Zerbi positions them as serious challengers. Greenwood’s form, combined with Rabiot’s experience, gives Marseille the tools needed to maintain pressure on PSG.
Matchweek 14 Results Recap
The latest round of Ligue 1 action delivered thrilling matches and significant results. Here’s a summary of the Matchday 14 fixtures:
Friday:
- Lille 3-1 Brest
Scorers: David 7’ (pen), 69’, Haraldsson 44’; Ajorque 48’ - Auxerre 0-0 PSG
Saturday:
- Monaco 2-0 Toulouse
Scorers: Singo 50’, Embolo 82’ - Nice 2-1 Le Havre
Scorers: Laborde 55’ (pen), Bouanani 75’; Lloris 90+2’ - Angers 0-3 Lyon
Scorers: Tagliafico 26’, Cherki 55’, Mikautadze 88’
Sunday:
- Lens 2-0 Montpellier
Scorers: Labeau Lascary 39’, Lecomte 90+1’ (OG) - Nantes 1-0 Rennes
Scorer: Simon 89’ - Strasbourg 0-0 Reims
- Saint-Etienne 0-2 Marseille
Scorers: Rabiot 17’, Greenwood 65’
Ligue 1 Standings After Matchday 14
| Position | Team | Played | GD | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Paris Saint-Germain | 14 | +22 | 35 |
| 2 | Olympique Marseille | 14 | +18 | 30 |
| 3 | Monaco | 14 | +16 | 30 |
| 4 | Nice | 14 | +12 | 28 |
| 5 | Lille | 14 | +8 | 27 |
| 6 | Lyon | 14 | +10 | 26 |
| 7 | Lens | 14 | +6 | 24 |
| 8 | Rennes | 14 | +4 | 23 |
| 9 | Nantes | 14 | +3 | 22 |
| 10 | Montpellier | 14 | 0 | 20 |
| 11 | Toulouse | 14 | -1 | 18 |
| 12 | Brest | 14 | -6 | 16 |
| 13 | Reims | 14 | -3 | 15 |
| 14 | Strasbourg | 14 | -5 | 15 |
| 15 | Le Havre | 14 | -9 | 12 |
| 16 | Saint-Etienne | 14 | -10 | 11 |
| 17 | Angers | 14 | -13 | 10 |
| 18 | Metz | 14 | -15 | 9 |
| 19 | Dunkerque | 14 | -18 | 7 |
| 20 | Lorient | 14 | -22 | 5 |
With Marseille gaining momentum and PSG showing signs of vulnerability, the Ligue 1 title race is far from decided. As the season progresses, fans can expect more twists and turns in what is shaping up to be a thrilling campaign.
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