|
|
Played
February 22, 2012 2:45 PM EST
Stade Vélodrome — Marseille
Referee: C. Çakιr
Attendance: 37646
February 22, 2012 2:45 PM EST
Stade Vélodrome — Marseille
Referee: C. Çakιr
Attendance: 37646
90+3′
André Ayew
Top of the Match
André Ayew
Marseille
Marseille
André Ayew
Marseille
Marseille
Flop of the Match
Mauro Matías Zárate
Inter
Inter
Mauro Matías Zárate
Inter
Inter
Goal.com Rating 
Fans' Rating Olympique de Marseille 1-0 Inter: Andre Ayew nets injury-time winner to secure precious victory and pile pressure on Claudio Ranieri
A dramatic late header from the Ghanaian has given OM the vital edge heading to the second leg in Milan, which takes place in three weeks.
By Robin Bairner
Olympique de Marseille snatched a late winner against Inter to claim a 1-0 victory in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 encounter.
It was the home side that dominated proceedings against the defensively-minded Serie A outfit, but it lacked the offensive nous to really worry the out-of-form visitors until stoppage time, when Andre Ayew headed the winning goal.
OM probed in the first half, enjoying plenty of possession but lacking real penetration with its attacking movements, while Inter’s response typically came on the counterattack, carving out several openings.
The best of these came early to Diego Forfan, who could not generate sufficient power from Esteban Cambiasso’s cross to steer the ball beyond Steve Mandanda, who, nevertheless, had to react well to turn the Uruguayan’s shot over.
Cambiasso would be the chief threat to OM in the first period down the left hand side, instigating several of his side’s best moves. Ten minutes before the break he beat the offside trap and cut a pass back to Mauro Zarate, but from a very good position the striker could only tamely sidefoot at goal, allowing Mandanda to get down easily to save.
Just before the interval, the Argentine had a chance to go it alone, but his shot had the sting taken out of it by Souleymane Diawara’s block.
Marseille was not anonymous, however. After only three minutes Benoit Cheyrou had a shot from range deflected narrowly wide after he was given too much room outside the box, while Cesar Azpilicueta had a vicious strike dip over the top.
Perhaps OM’s best chance came from a Mathieu Valbuena free kick that would surely have been converted had Brandao and Souleymane Diawara not got in each others’ way.
The second period followed much the same pattern of the first, though Inter’s insistence on defending ensured there would be fewer opportunities for either side.
Brandao did have one tame header save Julio Cesar and Jeremy Morel slashed a powerful shot comfortably wide, but Marseille’s evening was to be defined by a frustrating lack of offensive power.
Inter offered even less of a threat. It took the club nearly half an hour to muster a meaningful shot on goal, with Dejan Stankovic unable to react quickly enough from eight yards to seriously worry Mandanda following Wesley Sneijder’s free kick.
Late in the game, Andre Ayew had a trio of headed efforts at goal following Morgan Amalfitano crosses, but the decisive moment came after his own late shot had been saved. From the resultant corner, the Ghanaian glanced the winning goal, having escaped the marking of Cristian Chivu.
Given the paucity of chances in the match, a scoreless draw might have been apt, but the late strike from the hosts has potentially plunged a dagger into the heart of Claudio Ranieri's spell as Inter coach, following the Nerazzurri's six defeat in seven games.
It was the home side that dominated proceedings against the defensively-minded Serie A outfit, but it lacked the offensive nous to really worry the out-of-form visitors until stoppage time, when Andre Ayew headed the winning goal.
OM probed in the first half, enjoying plenty of possession but lacking real penetration with its attacking movements, while Inter’s response typically came on the counterattack, carving out several openings.
The best of these came early to Diego Forfan, who could not generate sufficient power from Esteban Cambiasso’s cross to steer the ball beyond Steve Mandanda, who, nevertheless, had to react well to turn the Uruguayan’s shot over.
Cambiasso would be the chief threat to OM in the first period down the left hand side, instigating several of his side’s best moves. Ten minutes before the break he beat the offside trap and cut a pass back to Mauro Zarate, but from a very good position the striker could only tamely sidefoot at goal, allowing Mandanda to get down easily to save.
Just before the interval, the Argentine had a chance to go it alone, but his shot had the sting taken out of it by Souleymane Diawara’s block.
Marseille was not anonymous, however. After only three minutes Benoit Cheyrou had a shot from range deflected narrowly wide after he was given too much room outside the box, while Cesar Azpilicueta had a vicious strike dip over the top.
Perhaps OM’s best chance came from a Mathieu Valbuena free kick that would surely have been converted had Brandao and Souleymane Diawara not got in each others’ way.
The second period followed much the same pattern of the first, though Inter’s insistence on defending ensured there would be fewer opportunities for either side.
Brandao did have one tame header save Julio Cesar and Jeremy Morel slashed a powerful shot comfortably wide, but Marseille’s evening was to be defined by a frustrating lack of offensive power.
Inter offered even less of a threat. It took the club nearly half an hour to muster a meaningful shot on goal, with Dejan Stankovic unable to react quickly enough from eight yards to seriously worry Mandanda following Wesley Sneijder’s free kick.
Late in the game, Andre Ayew had a trio of headed efforts at goal following Morgan Amalfitano crosses, but the decisive moment came after his own late shot had been saved. From the resultant corner, the Ghanaian glanced the winning goal, having escaped the marking of Cristian Chivu.
Given the paucity of chances in the match, a scoreless draw might have been apt, but the late strike from the hosts has potentially plunged a dagger into the heart of Claudio Ranieri's spell as Inter coach, following the Nerazzurri's six defeat in seven games.
Follow Goal.com on 
to get the latest soccer news directly. Check out Goal.com's 
page; be part of the best soccer fan community in the world!
to get the latest soccer news directly. Check out Goal.com's page; be part of the best soccer fan community in the world!
Goal
Own Goal
Penalty
Penalty Missed
Yellow Card
Assist
Penalty Save
Penalty Shootout Goal
Penalty Shootout Miss
Yellow Card / Red Card
Red Card
Substitution IN
Substitution OUT
Injury
Goal.com Rating
Goal.com Man of the Match
Goal.com Flop of the Match
Top & Flop Global Ranking- Fans' Man of the Match
Fans' Flop of the Match
Results
Match News
Top Scorers
| Player | Goals | Penalties | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lionel Messi
Striker Barcelona |
14 | 4 |
|
Mario Gomez
Striker FC Bayern München |
13 | 0 |
|
Cristiano Ronaldo
Striker Real Madrid |
10 | 2 |
|
Karim Benzema
Striker Real Madrid |
7 | 0 |
|
Didier Drogba
Striker Chelsea |
6 | 0 |