Emanuel Emegha was the standout figure in Strasbourg’s 1-1 draw against Olympique Marseille on Sunday evening, but it was his fiery post-match comments about Leonardo Balerdi that stole the spotlight.
The 21-year-old striker, who scored Strasbourg’s equalizer, didn’t hold back in criticizing the Marseille defender.
“He couldn’t catch me, so he tried to speak to me, tried to foul me. He’s a little man,” Emegha said, dismissing Balerdi’s performance. His words came after a match filled with confrontations and intense moments between the two sides. Despite his frustration, Emegha nearly had the chance to turn the tide in Strasbourg’s favor. He missed a golden opportunity late in the game to add a second and secure the win for his team. “We deserved to win. If I had scored the second, it would have been different,” he added.
Both teams left the Stade Vélodrome feeling they had missed a chance to secure vital points. Marseille stayed second, but the gap to PSG widened, while Strasbourg remained seven points off the Champions League places.
