Afrigather Marseille misplaced for the primary time in Ligue 1 this season as they fell 2-1 at residence to Ajaccio, who began the day in final place.
Marseille crashed again to earth after crushing Sporting Lisbon 4-1 in midweek for his or her first Champions League win of the season.
In the midst of a demanding run, with a return match in Lisbon on Wednesday and a visit to Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain subsequent Sunday, coach Igor Tudor made seven modifications to the beginning lineup that beat Sporting.
His staff took the lead after quarter-hour. Captain Dimitri Payet seized the ball with authority when the referee whistled for a handball by Ajaccio defender Cedric Avinel.
The 35-year-old playmaker transformed to attain his a centesimal Ligue 1 objective, 16 years after his first for Nantes.
In response to statisticians Opta, he’s the primary participant to achieve each the 100 targets and 100 assists mark in Ligue 1. Opta credit him with 112 assists.
Payet and the Velodrome crowd have been delighted. The happiness didn’t final lengthy.
“We began the sport nicely however inexplicably after our first objective we took our foot off the fuel a bit and so they have been in a position to benefit from it,” mentioned Payet.
Ajaccio striker Bevic Moussiti-Oko equalised with a low left-footed shot, his first Ligue 1 objective within the twenty fifth minute.
Ajaccio had solely scored 5 targets in 9 matches earlier than Saturday, however bought some assist when Argentine defender Leonardo Balerdi, who scored for Marseille on Tuesday, put the ball in his personal internet within the forty seventh minute.
Tudor then modified his total assault, introducing Luis Suarez, Amine Harit and even former outcast Bamba Dieng, however the equaliser by no means got here.
“Now we have a system the place the coach rotates so much, everybody will get enjoying time, we’re not going to complain about that, it’s as much as us to do our greatest after we’re on the sphere,” mentioned Payet.
Samuel Gigot’s deflection was saved by goalkeeper Benjamin Leroy with quarter-hour left and Ajaccio defended fiercely on the finish.
Regardless of the defeat Payet was happy to finish his century.
“It’s nonetheless an necessary milestone in a profession, I had handed the 100 assists, I used to be lacking this objective to make the double-double,” he mentioned, borrowing a phrase from basketball. “It’s a private satisfaction.”
Marseille stayed second however might be overtaken by Lens and Lorient on Sunday.
The defeat meant PSG stayed in first place forward of their sport at Reims on Saturday night.
Ajaccio climbed off the underside to 18th within the 20-team league, however might be again in final by the top of the weekend.
AFP
