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Player Ratings: Auxerre 0-0 Olympique de Marseille
It was defenses on top in a tame scoreless draw at the Stade Abbe-Deschamps. Goal.com analyzes all the individual actors.
Apr 30, 2010 6:24:00 PM
By Robin Bairner
AUXERRE
Sorlin – 6.5 – Didn’t really have a great deal to do over the match. Made one crucial stop from Lucho, but the Argentine made life easy for the goalkeeper in what was the game’s only shot on target.
Hengbart – 8.0 – A terrific performance from the right-back, who was the best player on the park. Made several telling contributions with his head to clear dangerous but his key moment came when he brilliantly challenged Brandao in the box.
Coulibaly – 7.0 – Another extremely solid central defensive performance from the Malian centre-back, who prevented OM penetrating in behind through the centre.
Grichting – 7.0 – The good news for Switzerland ahead of the World Cup is that Grichting is in very efficient form. Made countless interceptions in the middle of the rearguard and can be pleased with his performance once again.
Berthod – 6.5 – In Auxerre’s back four, Berthod was the only non-regular, and it showed to some extent as he was not as disciplined as his compatriots. OM found most of their offensive joy by raiding down his flank.
Oliech – 6.0 – Offered nothing at all in the way of an attacking threat, but he tracked back well to shut Brandao down on several occasions in the second half. Has been one of AJA’s best players in the second part of the campaign but didn’t show it this evening.
Dudka – 6.5 – Efficient in a holding midfield role, the Polish player has not always been a starter with AJA, but he proved he can easily slot into the side with a robust performance against les Phoceens.
Pedretti – 6.0 – Was left with the responsibility of unpicking the OM defense but failed to get his foot on the ball enough. The former Phoceen was over-eager in defense, making several mistimed tackles, leading to him walking a disciplinary tightrope and depleting his effectiveness further.
Birsa – 6.5 – Slovenian international Birsa is another AJA player in good form ahead of the World Cup, but he wasn’t especially effective at the Stade Abbe-Deschamps. There were periods in the first half when his crossing threatened to be a difference-maker, but a half volley well over the top early in the second half rather summered up his evening. Could do better.
Niculae – 5.5 – Full of selfless running, but when the Romanian got the ball things just didn’t happen for him. Will certainly have better evenings.
Jelen – 6.5 – The penalty box striker threatened to break the visiting ranks on a handful of occasions, but he wasn’t quite sharp enough when the rare opportunities came his way. Work rate could not be faulted.
Substitutes
Contout – n/a – A late replacement for the injured Niculae.
MARSEILLE
Mandanda – 6.5 – Like Sorin, the OM goalkeeper didn’t have a lot to do. Looked uncomfortable when fielding a low Jelen cross, nearly presenting the ball to Birsa, but was otherwise sound.
Bonnart – 7.0 – Raided forward meaningfully at times from right-back, but was not the attacking force he generally is. The former Le Mans player was more effective at the other end of the park, where he made several telling challenges.
Diawara – 7.0 – Physically imposing as ever, the former Bordeaux center-back is on the verge of becoming a champions of France for the second year running. Made one stunning recovery challenge on Jelen in the second half.
Mbia – 6.5 – One small slip in the first half aside, the Cameroonian enjoyed another very fine game in the heart of the rearguard. Though the former Rennes player says he doesn’t like playing in the rearguard, he hides it well.
Heinze – 6.0 – Offered little to no attacking threat down the left flank, but at the same time he was rarely beaten. In truth, the experienced Argentine will have far more challenging games this season.
Cisse – 6.5 – Generally a sound performance from the holding midfielder, who didn’t allow AJA’s ball players to get time to pick out their forwards.
Kabore – 6.0 – Just as effective in a defensive capacity as anchoring partner Cisse, though Kabore will be a little disappointed with the manner in which he used the ball. Gave away possession too much and perhaps should have been replaced by Benoit Cheyrou.
Niang – 5.5 – Arguably the biggest disappointment of the night, Senegalese ace Niang has been nominated for Ligue 1 Player of the Year but scarcely showed why in Burgundy. Shined on very few occasions, flicking a half chance over the top in the second period.
Lucho – 6.0 – The Argentine ace enjoyed a good amount of the ball in this encounter, but he didn’t always use it as well as he would have wanted. Some of his set pieces were below par, but those he did get right were immensely threatening indeed. A mixed evening for the former Porto man, who missed the best chance of the night from less than six yards out.
Valbuena – 7.0 – Once again ‘le Petit Velo’ was the best of les Phoceens’ offence. Posed a threat with his trickery and directness down the right hand flank but didn’t manage to get on the ball enough. His first half cross should have provided the opening goal for Lucho.
Brandao – 6.5 – Another industrious performance from the Brazilian, though he was a little lucky to remain on the pitch for what appeared to be an elbow in the face of Hengbart just after the break. Missed a great chance minutes later when the AJA right-back made a fine goal-saving challenge on him.
Substitutes
Kone – n/a – Didn’t have time to impress after replacing Niang.
Abriel – n/a – Made the briefest of cameos for Valbuena at the death.
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Sorlin – 6.5 – Didn’t really have a great deal to do over the match. Made one crucial stop from Lucho, but the Argentine made life easy for the goalkeeper in what was the game’s only shot on target.
Hengbart – 8.0 – A terrific performance from the right-back, who was the best player on the park. Made several telling contributions with his head to clear dangerous but his key moment came when he brilliantly challenged Brandao in the box.
Coulibaly – 7.0 – Another extremely solid central defensive performance from the Malian centre-back, who prevented OM penetrating in behind through the centre.
Grichting – 7.0 – The good news for Switzerland ahead of the World Cup is that Grichting is in very efficient form. Made countless interceptions in the middle of the rearguard and can be pleased with his performance once again.
Berthod – 6.5 – In Auxerre’s back four, Berthod was the only non-regular, and it showed to some extent as he was not as disciplined as his compatriots. OM found most of their offensive joy by raiding down his flank.
Oliech – 6.0 – Offered nothing at all in the way of an attacking threat, but he tracked back well to shut Brandao down on several occasions in the second half. Has been one of AJA’s best players in the second part of the campaign but didn’t show it this evening.
Dudka – 6.5 – Efficient in a holding midfield role, the Polish player has not always been a starter with AJA, but he proved he can easily slot into the side with a robust performance against les Phoceens.
Pedretti – 6.0 – Was left with the responsibility of unpicking the OM defense but failed to get his foot on the ball enough. The former Phoceen was over-eager in defense, making several mistimed tackles, leading to him walking a disciplinary tightrope and depleting his effectiveness further.
Birsa – 6.5 – Slovenian international Birsa is another AJA player in good form ahead of the World Cup, but he wasn’t especially effective at the Stade Abbe-Deschamps. There were periods in the first half when his crossing threatened to be a difference-maker, but a half volley well over the top early in the second half rather summered up his evening. Could do better.
Niculae – 5.5 – Full of selfless running, but when the Romanian got the ball things just didn’t happen for him. Will certainly have better evenings.
Jelen – 6.5 – The penalty box striker threatened to break the visiting ranks on a handful of occasions, but he wasn’t quite sharp enough when the rare opportunities came his way. Work rate could not be faulted.
Substitutes
Contout – n/a – A late replacement for the injured Niculae.
MARSEILLE
Mandanda – 6.5 – Like Sorin, the OM goalkeeper didn’t have a lot to do. Looked uncomfortable when fielding a low Jelen cross, nearly presenting the ball to Birsa, but was otherwise sound.
Bonnart – 7.0 – Raided forward meaningfully at times from right-back, but was not the attacking force he generally is. The former Le Mans player was more effective at the other end of the park, where he made several telling challenges.
Diawara – 7.0 – Physically imposing as ever, the former Bordeaux center-back is on the verge of becoming a champions of France for the second year running. Made one stunning recovery challenge on Jelen in the second half.
Mbia – 6.5 – One small slip in the first half aside, the Cameroonian enjoyed another very fine game in the heart of the rearguard. Though the former Rennes player says he doesn’t like playing in the rearguard, he hides it well.
Heinze – 6.0 – Offered little to no attacking threat down the left flank, but at the same time he was rarely beaten. In truth, the experienced Argentine will have far more challenging games this season.
Cisse – 6.5 – Generally a sound performance from the holding midfielder, who didn’t allow AJA’s ball players to get time to pick out their forwards.
Kabore – 6.0 – Just as effective in a defensive capacity as anchoring partner Cisse, though Kabore will be a little disappointed with the manner in which he used the ball. Gave away possession too much and perhaps should have been replaced by Benoit Cheyrou.
Niang – 5.5 – Arguably the biggest disappointment of the night, Senegalese ace Niang has been nominated for Ligue 1 Player of the Year but scarcely showed why in Burgundy. Shined on very few occasions, flicking a half chance over the top in the second period.
Lucho – 6.0 – The Argentine ace enjoyed a good amount of the ball in this encounter, but he didn’t always use it as well as he would have wanted. Some of his set pieces were below par, but those he did get right were immensely threatening indeed. A mixed evening for the former Porto man, who missed the best chance of the night from less than six yards out.
Valbuena – 7.0 – Once again ‘le Petit Velo’ was the best of les Phoceens’ offence. Posed a threat with his trickery and directness down the right hand flank but didn’t manage to get on the ball enough. His first half cross should have provided the opening goal for Lucho.
Brandao – 6.5 – Another industrious performance from the Brazilian, though he was a little lucky to remain on the pitch for what appeared to be an elbow in the face of Hengbart just after the break. Missed a great chance minutes later when the AJA right-back made a fine goal-saving challenge on him.
Substitutes
Kone – n/a – Didn’t have time to impress after replacing Niang.
Abriel – n/a – Made the briefest of cameos for Valbuena at the death.
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