Marseille Season 5 Match Day Reports

[Buckers]

Match Day 1

Pre Match Information

First game of the season and managerial debut for James Bucknall, see Marseille return to top flight football following relegation in season 3 however crowned champions in season 4 and promotion back to the dreamland at the first time of asking. In the summer saw change with the unexpected resignation from Euan Neale to appointment of James Bucknall. It was a total world wind for the Les Phoceens fans, seeing fans concerned with only 14 players signed on with only a month and a half till the season opener. Eyebrows were raised as the days went on with fans becoming excited for the daily 5pm announcement on the club website of multiple signings. As the weeks went on saw Bucknall selling 17 players and signing 23 players! Fans forum posts went from fearful to intrigue and optimism for the season ahead praising the off field work that James Bucknall and his back room staff have put in over the off season.

With only 2 players standing from last seasons EFL2 champions, the fans are excited to see the new “Buckers Ball” philosophy and new signings in action with an expected sold out away end.



Ladies and Gentlemen, It’s match day

To some shock Barcelona set up rather defensive from the start with Marseille facing counter attack. We took full advantage of this with the first opportunity of the game, seeing debut man I_Williams bag his first goal of the season and an assist from another debutant A_Guler. Following this saw the wrath of Barcelona constant attacking football, 23 minutes later Barcelona equalised through a powerful header from R_Lewandowski. To see out the half saw end to end football with Barcelona having the better chances they could not get through Marseille’s stalwart defensive.

HT Score: Barcelona 1-1 Marseille

Barcelona picked up from where they ended the second half, seeing again the wrath of Barcelona attacking football in the 50th minute. Only minutes later, the ball lands to no other than the academy product T_Cahill on the wing, cuts the ball back to talisman I_Williams, can he make it a double? Of course he can with a spectacular bicycle kick!
GOAL!
Barcelona continued there relentless attacking threat not allowing Marseille a chance to breathe, not many chances falling Marseille way until the 88th minute…

“H_Suazo chips the ball in towards the far post!
It goes straight into the arms of A_Lopes Was there some shirt pulling going on in the box?
The strikers are calling for VAR!
We wait for the decision
It looks like
NO PENALTY”

Barcelona continued there attacking threat into 90 + additional minutes however no prevail.

FT Barcelona 1-2 Marseille



James Bucknall Comments

“ First off I would like to thank those fans who made the 10 hour round trip to see the lads in action. Very delighted to kick off the season with a win against a very strong and talented team that is Barcelona. With a talented manager Mati who has a rich history within the world of FFO. Esms gods were thankfully on our side today as it could’ve gone the other way, therefore I am very proud of my team today grabbing the 3 points”



We now look forward to our first home fixture of the season welcoming Simon and his Atletico Madrid side to the Orange Velodrome stadium who picked up all 3 points on there season opener.


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[Buckers]

Match Day 2

Pre Match Information

Second game of the season sees James Bucknall take charge of his first game at the famous Orange Velodrome welcoming Simon and his Atletico Madrid side. In the season opener saw Marseille pull off a miraculous away win against Barcelona. Atletico Madrid also came away with all three points making this an exciting affair with both managers eager to make it 6 points out of 6.



Ladies and Gentlemen, It’s match day

Atletico Madrid started off the blocks quickest, making G_Bazuna pull off 2 brilliant saves in the opening 3 minutes of the game. Marseille took advantage of the overhaul of attacking threat from Atletico Madrid with a counter attack from no other than I_Williams with a delightful solo run to make it 1-0 to Marseille and to make it 3 goals in 2 for the striker. Following this Atletico Madrid opted to go attacking, and continued there pursuit for the equaliser however Marseille had other plans. Following the opener saw Marseille have more of the chances out of both sides. In the 30th minute saw Marseille have a corner, D_Dumfries hit the ball towards the back post finding its way to M_Oyarzabal who manages to get his shot away and nearly puts it away to make it 2-0. To see off the half both sides had there chances however neither side were able to convert.

HT: Marseille 2-0 Atletico Madrid

In the opening 13 minutes of the second half saw neither team create any chances. Marseille continued there sluggish start with Atletico Madrid eager to capitalise on this. Atletico Madrid continued there attacking threat with much pressure with Marseille only just containing them. Following the threat, on the 69th minute mark saw red for S_v_den_Berg from a poor high tackle. Marseille didn’t manage to create many chances and neither did Atletico Madrid to see out the game.

FT Marseille 2-0 Atletico Madrid



James Bucknall Comments

“ Absolutely delighted and proud of my lads to come away with all the 3 points against a very strong Atletico Madrid side who will without a doubt be up there come end of the season with the quality Simon possess with players and tactics at his disposal. However I am disappointed to see one of my key defenders out through suspension for the next game. Esms gods were on our side yet again, hopefully this will be one of those games we look back on come end of the season which could make the difference of our fate”



Next up sees us facing Italian & EFL1 giants Juventus away from home with both sides making it a perfect 6 points from 6. It’ll be interesting to see which team makes it out on top.


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[Buckers]

Match Day 3

Pre Match Information

Third game of the season sees James Bucknall and his side make a trip to Turin against a very strong side Juventus who will be looking to maintain there good start to the season to continue their mission to be crowned champions of EFL1. It’ll be interesting to see how Marseille will shape up with S_v_den_Berg out through suspension.



Ladies and Gentlemen, It’s match day

Both sides opted to play positively with Juventus playing A opposed to Marseille P. Juventus started off better with 2 chances in the opening 2 minutes. However, 3 minutes later saw L_Beraldo play a measured pass across to T_Livramento who takes it in his stride with a half volley ends in the back of the net to make it 1-0 to Marseille! Juventus did not let there heads drop continue to attack, G_Bazuna could have allowed Juventus back into the game with a mistake which allows the ball go through his legs but thankfully went out of play. Following this Marseille had an attack of there own starting off with M_Skrtel who lofts a through ball in J_Segre, with a knuckleball shot swerving, M_Carnesecchi moves quickly, can he get to it? NO! GOAL!!! 2-0 Marseille. Marseille opted to go D and make it into a back 5 seeing goal scorer J_Segre coming off. This sees the game play into Juventus hands. Just 3 minutes later saw Juventus pull a goal back to make it 2-1. Surely not, 3 minutes later again sees Juventus equalise to make it 2-2! What are Marseille playing at here? Marseille are struggling to cope with the pressure, in the 26th minute sees a corner for Juventus with a delightful ball whipped in landing to M_Rashford who nods it in to make in 3-2 to Juventus! M_Rashford was not done there, he collects a loose ball floating the ball toward goal, can it lob G_Bazuna… YES… GOAL! 4-2 to Juventus and a first half hatrick for M_Rashford. Following the 4-2 lead to Juventus they decided to sit back and play C. Marseille managed to contain Juventus to see out the half.

HT: Juventus 4-2 Marseille

Juventus carried on where they left off, with continuous attacking threat with Marseille having no answer having had no chances in the opening 25 minutes. Juventus’ patience paid off, with F_Wirtz cross into the box landing to Joao Felix who neatly nods it into the back of the net to make it 5-2 to Juventus. Marseille woke up in the 84th minute having their first chance of the half however was prevented by Juventus gk M_Carnesecchi who makes a fingertip save and managed to pick up the rebound.

FT Juventus 5-2 Marseille



James Bucknall Comments

I’ll hold up my hands and apologise to the fans. We made the perfect start going 2-0 up however when opting to play D it gave Juventus the perfect opportunity to capitalise which unfortunately they did in this encounter. Today was a learning curve against a quality side Juventus, including an experienced manager in Tony.



Thankfully we don’t have long to make amends, seeing us face fellow promoted side Lens who have also made an unexpected start to the season with 2 wins from 3.

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[Buckers]

Match Day 4

Pre Match Information

Our fourth game of the season sees James Bucknall welcome Chris and his Lens side to the Orange Velodrome. Marseille have made a great start to life in EFL1 winning 2 and losing 1. Fellow promoted team Lens have also made a great start to the season winning 2 of their opening 3 to the season. It’ll be interesting to see how both sides set up.



Ladies and Gentleman, It’s Match Day

Marseille set out more cautiously deciding to play with E opposed to Lens setting up rather positively playing P with a back 4. It was Marseille who came out the blocks quickest creating multiple chances in the opening minutes with C_Ndour & A_Guler coming close. In the 8th minute see T_Cahill make a move out wide, receives the ball and plays a ball through down the line to T_Livramento. A little give and go and T_Livramento makes himself available, with a delightful ball into the box it lands straight onto T_Livramento head, can he beat B_Samba? YES! He was nowhere near that one! 1-0 to Marseille. Marseille didn’t stop their continuing there pursuit, only 1 minute late they had a penalty shout, GIVEN! I_Williams twist and turned the defender which lead to the defender bringing him down. Up steps club penalty taker M_Oyarzabal… GOAL! B_Samba got a finger tip to it however could not stop it. 2-0 to Marseille! This sees Marseille set up to C which sees Marseille have tactical advantage. Marseille weren’t willing to stop their, with Lens struggling to cope with the onslaught. In the 17th minute saw M_Haidara spit at young lad R_Carvalho, yellow card! James Bucknall is absolutely furious. Marseille continued despite this act and did not let it faze them. In the 21st minute M_Oyarzabal picks up the ball and goes on a run and beats the defender and takes a shot towards goal. B_Samba reaches it and claws it off the line… the players have seen something James Bucknall couldn’t see demanding a goal. It goes to VAR… GOAL! 3-0 to Marseille. Despite the 3 goal lead Marseille continued to threat and in the 36th minute Marseille had a penalty shout with a bit of shirt pulling . This went to VAR however was not given. Marseille fans look furious. To see out the half Lens had a slight chance from a corner however no prevail.

HT: Marseille 3-0 Lens

Lens started quickest with Marseille looking rather lacklustre. In the 55th minute saw I_Balde make a perfect 60 yard pass across field to A_Oroz. Takes a touch out his feet and takes a shot toward goal outside the box… he beats G_Bazuna, GOAL! 3-1 to Marseille. Lens are absolutely delighted and runs over to Chris to celebrate. Lens didn’t stop there setting up as C to match the home side. Only 5 minutes later saw a chance land to J_Mcginn who goes on a run of his own beating the defenders who throws himself at the ball following avoiding the tackle, he reaches the ball… GOAL! He nutmegged G_Bazuna. 3-2 to Marseille. James Bucknall demands G_Bazuna to go down to relieve the pressure so James Bucknall can regroup the side. Following the goal Lens opted to go A. Both sides continued their pursuit to find the next goal with both sides having chances to change the game. Notably A_Guler with the best chance who puts it wide. It was harder to miss! In the last 10 minutes of the game Lens continued to threat Marseille goal, wait there’s a penalty shout! Some apparent shirt pulling in the box. We wait for the decision… NO PENALTY! Lens are absolutely furious. Marseille managed to see out the game.

FT: Marseille 3-2 Lens



James Bucknall Comments

Really happy to come away with all 3 points. I felt confident coming into this with both sides fairly evenly matched in aspect of quality. I felt our fans played their part in spurring on the side despite the 3 goal lead. Lens really brought the game to us in the second half and the lads played well to manage and see out the game.



Next up sees us go away from home and visit Real Sociedad. Real Sociedad have made a good start to the season with 2 wins and 1 draw from opening 4 games

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