Strasbourg 1–2 OM: A late turnaround sends Marseille top!

A real test

Four days after the feat against PSG (1-0), OM returned to Ligue 1 on the fiery pitch of La Meinau. Suspended, Roberto De Zerbi had left his assistant Andrea Maldera in charge, but the Marseille identity was still present: intensity, high pressing, the will to dictate the tempo. Against a Strasbourg side unbeaten at home for months and co-leader of the league, the challenge had all the makings of a real test.

And it’s fair to say the Phocaeans delivered. Trailing at the start of the second half, they found in their substitutes the energy to turn the game around and leave Alsace with a crucial victory (1-2). A performance full of character, which temporarily propels OM to the top of Ligue 1.

A tense first half

From the kickoff, Strasbourg showed why they are flying high in the standings. Emmanuel Emegha, unstoppable, quickly sowed chaos in the Olympian defense. In the 17th minute, he even thought he had opened the scoring before VAR disallowed his goal for offside. Kendry Páez and Diego Moreira kept making runs and incisive passes, putting Aguerd and Balerdi under pressure.

On the Marseille side, Angel Gomes tried to dictate the play with Højbjerg, while Weah and Paixão looked to wreak havoc on the wings. Amine Gouiri had two great chances — a missed volley from a Murillo cross, then a well-struck free kick saved by Penders. But once again, his lack of sharpness proved costly. At halftime, despite real intensity, the two teams were still level (0-0).

Strasbourg strikes, OM reacts

The restart turned into a nightmare. In the 49th minute, Emegha got the better of the Marseille defense and set up Abdoul Ouattara, who took advantage of a Balerdi slip to beat Rulli with a composed finish (1-0). La Meinau erupted, and OM appeared to stumble.

But that’s when Maldera’s substitutions changed everything. Greenwood, Aubameyang and Emerson all came on in the 57th minute, later followed by Pavard and Vaz. Decisive choices. OM regained control of the midfield thanks to Højbjerg, and Aubameyang quickly reminded everyone he’s still a finisher: picked out by the Dane, he equalized with a powerful near-post strike (1-1, 71st), after a first attempt was blocked.

Murillo delivers at La Meinau… but for OM!

Boosted by that goal, Marseille kept pushing. Greenwood nearly set up Højbjerg for the lead, but his header hit the post. At the other end, Strasbourg didn’t give up: Panichelli, off the bench, nearly sank Rulli, but Aguerd cleared off the line.

In the end, it was OM who snatched the win. In the 88th minute, Pavard delivered a pinpoint cross to Robinio Vaz, whose header struck the bar. The rebound fell to Murillo, who fired a left footer past Penders (1-2). Opportunistic and determined, the Panamanian freed his team.

A victory earned with grit, in pain, but oh so symbolic: OM finally wins away from home, where they had failed since the start of the season.

Standout players

• Højbjerg (7/10): the boss of the midfield. Tireless ball-winner, he registered an assist for Aubameyang and could have been the hero had his header not hit the post.
• Aubameyang (7/10): silent for weeks, he showed he’s still clinical. A decisive cameo, with his 3rd goal of the season.
• Murillo (6.5/10): sometimes shaky defensively, but popped up at the perfect moment to seal the three points. His first goal in an OM shirt is priceless.
• Greenwood (6.5/10): his entry energized the flank and pushed Strasbourg back.
• Aguerd (5/10): brave, cleared off the line, but struggled against Emegha.
• Gouiri (3/10): still scoreless, still wasteful. He needs to find his finishing instinct quickly, or risk losing his spot permanently to Aubameyang.

A foundational victory

This success at La Meinau is more than just three points. It’s a win that validates the team’s progress since the end of the transfer window and the arrival of new signings. Aguerd, Pavard, O’Riley, Greenwood, Aubameyang, Emerson: all made an impact in their own way. And above all, OM showed they now have the depth to change the course of a match.

De Zerbi, suspended, said it himself: “Great teams also win away.” His OM just proved it’s on the right track. With 12 points and a provisional spot at the top of the league, the Phocaeans send a clear message: this season, Marseille must be reckoned with.

Key stats:

• 3rd straight Ligue 1 win for OM
• 1st away victory this season
• 12 points, provisionally top of the table
• Only 3 goals conceded in the last 4 matches across all competitions