Player Ratings: Olympique de Marseille 0-1 Olympiakos

Made one of the saves of the Champions League group stages to keep out Holebas less than 10 minutes before the interval and stopped superbly when Mirallas was one-on-one. The goalkeeper was in fine form throughout, making several excellent blocks and commanding his penalty box well. Didn’t deserve to be beaten late on.

Came into the left back position in preference to Jeremy Morel, presumably to add greater steel to the area, yet his positioning was awry and he looked rusty. Played Fetfatzidis onside for the goal, and this was not the only occasion that he was caught in such a manner. It was a bad mistake from Deschamps to make a change in this zone.

Was lucky that Mellburg was flagged offside early on, when the Swede escaped the defender’s poor marking to head home. Made some strong interventions, but his tendency to dive into challenges put his side in trouble. Showed naivety.

The best of Marseille’s defenders, but he didn’t have a great deal of competition to claim that accolade. Showed experience when left one-on-one and was a strong figure in the air, though he was still prone to diving in and was not the leader that Deschamps would have hoped for.

Didn’t do a great deal to silence the critics who have questioned his performances since moving in the summer from Bordeaux. Olympiakos players were frequently allowed to power through the heart of the Marseille side, and it was Diarra’s responsibility to stop them. Actually offered a threat going forward, coming closest for OM with a diving header.

Normally a real catalyst for Marseille in the center of the park, the midfielder was extremely quiet throughout this match. Didn’t offer any real threat going forward, and wasn’t active enough defensively either. Withdrawn on the hour mark.

Preferred to Azpilicueta in the right back role, but his life was made very uncomfortable by Holebas, who was able to exploit the Burkinabe’s lack of positional awareness. Olympiakos regularly attacked down his flank to some joy.

Given a free role in the Marseille offensive line, the waspish attacker flattered to deceive in this encounter. Showed promise in the deeper areas of the field but was lacking in a decisive final touch around the box. A very frustrating evening. Taken off after 70 minutes, moments after throwing in his best cross of the night.

Lively in the opening stages, it seemed the Ghanaian would be Marseille’s route to a goal down the left channel, but he would quickly fade. Was too keen to try flicks in non-essential areas, surrendering possession too readily. Only got in behind his marker on one notable occasion.

Picked to play the foremost role in the Marseille attack, the young attacker failed to make a positive impression on this occasion. Certainly has potential, but he was not smart enough with his movement to create any chances for himself. Replaced by Gignac on the hour mark.

Was another one of Marseille’s attacking players to endure a subdued night. Has been in strong goal scoring form in recent weeks, but stuck out on the right, he rarely posed a meaningful threat. A downward header late on nearly brought a leveler.

The young goalkeeper appears to have claimed the gloves at Olympiakos, and he showed plenty of confidence in this his second Champions League encounter, albeit flapping at a corner in the second half. Might have expected to have been busy at Stade Velodrome, but was definitely the quieter of the two custodians.

A largely disciplined performance from the defender, though he was lucky not to have been more heavily punished for a rash challenge for Valbuena just outside the box. This was an exceptional error on an evening on which he impressed.

The veteran former Monaco player was solid in the heart of the field for Olympiakos. Held up play impressively and got forward on occasion to ask questions of the home side.

An impressive performance from the midfielder, who worked well defensively but also supplemented Olympiakos’ attack well. Prepared to shoot from range when given the chance.

Given his first cap for Greece in the recent international break, and he looked a player full of confidence on the left side. Linked well with those around him, but looked limited when forced to cut onto his weaker right side, on which he lacked technique. A wickedly deflected long range shot was brilliantly kept out by Mandanda.

Linked well with Holebas and Mirallas, who were both playing in front of him, and more importantly offered a solid defensive base for the pair to work off. Whichever of the Marseille forwards drifted out to their right, they had little success. He was the Greeks’ vital link man.

Unlucky to seen a fine early header disallowed for offside and commanded his defense well from its heart. Used all his experience to enjoy a convincing night.

His life was made difficult as he picked up a booking after 26 minutes with a silly foul on Andre Ayew, and to that point he had not been especially convincing in any case. Actually grew stronger after that incident and got forward to supply some dangerous crosses into the box, though he was lucky to stay on for a daft lunging challenge early in the second half.

Posed real problems with his ability over a dead ball, swinging several superb crosses into the OM box from free kicks. From open play, he was a somewhat ghostly presence, not stamping his mark on this game and was replaced before an hour was played.

The former Saint-Etienne man posed Marseille problems late on in Greece, he again caused the home defense issues due to his intelligent movement and speed. On one occasion in the first half he burst past two challenges before being denied by Mandanda and in the second period he would suffer a similar fate. A superb performance, but he was lucky not to give a penalty for handball late on.

Was born not too far away from Marseille in Grenoble and was certainly keen on making an impression on his return to France. Not as penetrative as Mirallas, but provided a threat that certainly attracted the OM defense attention.