PLAYER RATINGS | FC Metz 0-3 Marseille: O’Riley, Paixao & Gouiri on target to fire Les Phocéens back on top

Ligue 1 McDonald’s Matchday 6, 04/10/2025

THE MATCH

Olympique de Marseille topped off a promising few weeks of positive form with a convincing win over bottom side FC Metz to move again temporarily top of the Ligue 1 table. Igor Paixao opened the scoring with a deflected strike in the second half, before Matt O’Riley scored his first goal for OM in style – and Amine Gouiri added a third to kill off the affair. A delay due to crowd trouble would see an extended break in play after OM’s third goal.

Roberto De Zerbi made four changes to the starting XI that faced Strasbourg last time out in Ligue 1, with Emerson, Pavard, Greenwood and a surprise spot for youngster Robinio Vaz – who makes his first start of the season for Les Phocéens. Metz hadn’t won a game at home all season, and sat bottom of the league – but OM were looking to finish a promising run of form before the international break comes into play next week.

Les Olympiens dominated the ball in the opening minutes, as Greenwood’s strike stung the palms of Fischer before spilling in front of Paixao – but the flag would be raised for offside. Robinio Vaz broke into the box but Gomes should have done better to get onto the youngster’s pullback before he blasted wide of the post, much to the frustration of Roberto De Zerbi on the sidelines. Metz had to take a blow when Jean-Phillipe Gambin had to cede his starting spot to Collin following an injury, which forced Stephane Le Mignan to switch up his back line. Timothy Weah broke behind, but he couldn’t find a pulled-back effort which was blocked by the Grenat defence. Les Phocéens got ever so close to the Metz net, even finding combinations within the six-yard box but Vaz’s flick not testing Fischer after a promising move between O’Riley and Greenwood. Metz had one last chance just before the end of the half as a warning shot, as Guathier Hein whipped a cross to the back post, but Kouao was caught off balance and sliced his shot. Rulli had to rush out to deny Sabaly from close range, as Metz found they could generate some chances on the counter attack and with their physicality.

Metz came out for the second period with intent, as Habib Diallo latched onto a cross from the left side but blasted his header over the bar. OM then had a great chance through Paixao after a searching run from Matt O’Riley, which Fischer just about managed to scramble away from his area. Mason Greenwood’s strike then rattled the crossbar with a floated strike from the middle of the box. Then Marseille would finally open the scoring through Paixao, this time Vaz played the Brazilian into the box – and his strike was deflected by a Metz defender past Fischer (51′). Timothy Weah had a chance at the far post ten minutes later as OM searched for an all-important second after Amine Gouiri and Leonardo Balerdi entered the pitch for Angel Gomes and Robinio Vaz. Marseille would finally find breathing space, this time it was Matt O’Riley who provided a lovely curled finish just inside the box after some great work from Amine Gouiri to feed him (68′). The Brighton loanee tested Fischer once again just minutes later as OM looked to go and dominate further.

FC METZ PLAYER RATINGS

Jonathan Fischer – 5

Sadibou Sané – 4

Jean Phillipe Gbamin – N/A

Terry Yegbe – 5

Koffi Kouao – 5

Boubacar Traoré – 5

Jessy Deminguet – 4

Fodé Ballo-Touré – 4

Gauthier Hein – 5

A difficult afternoon for Hein, who promised despite his side being deprived of the ball for much of the first half. He did deliver some dangerous crosses and showed his play-making ability – but was let down by the finishing abilities of his teammates.

Cheikh Sabaly – 5

Habib Diallo – 4

OLYMPIQUE DE MARSEILLE PLAYER RATINGS

Gerónimo Rulli – 5

Emerson Palmieri – 6

Nayef Aguerd – 6

Benjamin Pavard – 6

Timothy Weah – 6

Another steady performance once again from the American, who played in a defensive position on the left against Metz : it was important that he tracked back and he did with intensity and vigour whilst providing an attacking outlet on the left side during the first period.

Pierre-Emile Højbjerg – 7

Matt O’Riley – 7
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Another solid performance from the Danish international alongside Højbjerg, again doing the simple things right but having a bit more of an influence in OM’s attacking play as a box-to-box midfielder. This time he showed his finishing ability in front of goal, with a fine curled strike from the edge of the box after a pull-back from Amine Gouiri.

Angel Gomes – 5

The Englishman wasn’t at ease in the first period after not gaining significant game-time in recent weeks, but he did what was necessary in the second period playing slightly higher in the midfield areas.

Igor Paixao – 6

The Brazilian struggled in the first half with a different kind of physicality compared to against Ajax, but he managed to provide the difference with a deflected strike in the second half to score his third goal in just two games with Les Olympiens .

Mason Greenwood – 6

The former Manchester United man was once again influential for Les Phocéens with some stinging strikes but without being decisive.

Robinio Vaz – 6

The youngster made his first start of the season in an OM shirt after some promising involvements off the bench, and he set the tone right away with high intensity in Marseille’s press, chasing down Fischer early on and winning a freekick in the early minutes in a dangerous area. The idea was clear from the start to release the striker with balls over the top of the Metz defence.

GFFN | George Boxall