Olympique de Marseille ended their dismal run of form with a much-needed 3-2 victory over Toulouse on Sunday night, reclaiming second place in Ligue 1 and giving their Champions League hopes a timely boost.
Returning to the starting line-up for the first time in nearly a month, Algerian international Ismaël Bennacer played a key role in the win, recording his first assist for the club since joining on loan from AC Milan.
The 2019 Africa Cup of Nations winner reacted quickly to take a short free-kick that ultimately led to Marseille’s second goal—a contribution that, though perhaps fortunate, proved decisive in a tense encounter at the Stade Vélodrome.
Marseille, who had found themselves in crisis after four defeats in their last five matches, entered the game under heavy pressure.
Having spent much of the season comfortably in second place behind runaway leaders Paris Saint-Germain, a recent collapse had opened the door for rivals to threaten their Champions League ambitions.
Without forward Amine Gouiri, who was rested on the advice of the coaching staff, manager Roberto De Zerbi was forced to reshuffle his starting eleven.
The gamble paid off—eventually. Despite periods of uncertainty in defence and a few nervy moments, OM managed to overcome a spirited Toulouse side thanks to a standout strike from Mason Greenwood, who found the top corner with his weaker foot in what was arguably the goal of the night.
Toulouse, who sit mid-table, offered strong resistance throughout the match. Though neither Zuliani nor Messali featured in the starting line-up and both remained on the bench for the full 90 minutes, the visitors pushed Marseille until the final whistle, forcing the hosts to work for every point.
Bennacer’s return to the starting XI gave Marseille a welcome injection of composure and vision in midfield. His alertness and ability to read the game were evident in the lead-up to the goal credited as his first assist for the club.
Although the pass may have lacked the flair typically associated with a high-level assist, it nonetheless broke the lines and helped swing momentum in Marseille’s favour at a critical point in the game.
The win lifts Marseille back above AS Monaco into second place, setting the stage for a pivotal clash between the two clubs next week.
With the Champions League race tightening, every point counts, and De Zerbi will be hoping his team can build on this performance as they prepare for the run-in.
Toulouse remain in 11th place, a position that appears secure on paper, but with just eight points separating them from the relegation play-off zone, their job is far from done. A few poor results could quickly drag them into the dogfight at the bottom of the table.
For now, though, Marseille can breathe a sigh of relief. After weeks of frustration, they have stopped the bleeding. And for Ismaël Bennacer, the night also marked a personal milestone—a first tangible contribution to his new club and a sign that he could yet play a vital role in the season’s final stretch.
