PLAYER RATINGS | Saint-Étienne 0-2 Marseille: Adrien Rabiot nets first goal in comfortable victory

Ligue 1 McDonald’s, Round 14, 08/12/2024

Olympique de Marseille travelled to the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard where they ran out of comfortable winners against AS Saint-Étienne (2-0).

The Match

Les Verts looked to strike within the first few minutes of the game. The club’s dangerman, Zuriko Davitashvili, fired at Gerónimo Rulli’s goal in the third minute. It was a low shot that forced an awkward-looking save for the Argentine international. It would prove to be the host’s best chance of the first half as Marseille looked to control proceedings. 

Neat passing triangles cropped up across the pitch for the men in orange and Saint-Étienne couldn’t find an answer to the fluid exchanges. It would be a passing move that opened up the game as Marseille shifted the ball around the home side’s box before Maupay chipped the ball over the Saint-Étienne backline to find Adrien Rabiot. 

The France international controlled the ball well with his chest before volleying the effort past Gautier Larsonneur for his first goal in a Marseille shirt. Saint-Étienne struggled to lay a glove on their guests. Marseille should have increased their advantage and they peppered the Larsonneur’s goal with shots. 

Saint-Étienne would have been pleased that at half-time the score was only 1-0 and they could hope to punish Les Phocéens’ wastefulness in front of goal. However, Marseille looked to pick up where they left off causing Larsonneur’s busy evening to continue as he was forced into action from the early stages. 

Marseille would find their second when Mason Greenwood earned a penalty. It was a slightly harsh decision for Saint-Étienne as Léo Pétrot knocked into the Englishman sending him to the floor. Greenwood stepped up to the spot and saw his penalty saved by Larsonneur, although the rebound fell kindly for the Marseille man and he scored with his second chance. 

The substitute Elye Wahi looked to add to Marseille’s lead late into the second half, but found like those before him that Larsonneur was not an easy goalkeeper to find a way past. As regulation time ended, the game was paused with Saint-Étienne fans letting fireworks and flares flood the field with an impenetrable white haze.

The smoke only delayed the inevitable as Marseille rose to second and Saint-Étienne slipped into the relegation zone.

Marseille Player Ratings 

Gerónimo Rulli – 5

Quentin Merlin – 6

Geoffrey Kondogbia – 6

Leonardo Balerdi – 7

Michael Amir Murillo – 7

A really impressive performance for the right-sided centre-back. He kept Les Verts‘ biggest danger completely at bay. Zuriko Davitashvili struggled to find a way into the game. Murillo marked him well and came out far better in each of their duels. 

Luis Henrique – 7

Pierre-Emile Højbjerg – 7

Valentin Rongier – 7

It wasn’t clear at the start of the season where Valentin Rongier would fit into this new look Marseille. However, the former captain over the last few games has shown he has the intelligence and guile to be a key component for Roberto De Zerbi. This match was no different. A great reader of the game both in attack and defence. 

Adrien Rabiot – 7

The former Paris Saint-Germain academy product is now off the mark for Marseille. It was a great finish to an exceptional team move. The midfielder is playing a far more advanced role and there were a few moments where he looked a little uncomfortable and his passes didn’t find their man. 

Mason Greenwood – 7

Neal Maupay – 6

Selected Saint-Étienne Player Ratings

Gautier Larsonneur – 8

A stunning performance from the goalkeeper. He was by far Saint-Étienne’s most impressive player and the biggest reason why the scoreline looked far more competitive than the game truly reflected. 

Dylan Batubinsika – 6

Similar to his goalkeeper. The centre-back put in a good shift despite the score. Saint-Étienne defended well and Batubinsika intervened frequently to keep Marseille from turning their control into goals. 

Zuriko Davitashvili – 4

GFFN | Nick Hartland