(Ligue 1 2023/2024): Highlights MARSEILLE - RC STRASBOURG

The first Ligue 1 recent meeting of 2024 saw Marseille welcome Strasbourg to the Orange Vélodrome. Sitting 6th and 9th in the table ahead of the match, the pair would be battling for crucial points in the top half. They both finished 2023 in good form but were unbeaten in their six previous league games, while Strasbourg hadn't lost in their previous four and have won the most recent three. There's further reason for hope for the visitors who would face a Marseille side without seven players who just departed for the African Cup of Nations, the joint most in the league. It was the depleted side who picked up where they left off before the winter break though, as Samuel Gigo ghosted in to nod home Virginia's Flickon in the third minute. Initially flagged offside but a VAR review reinstated the goal and the home side had first blood. No team in the division had accumulated more points over the previous five matchdays than OM. 13 didn't run away with the game after taking the lead and Strasbourg fought back. Kevin Gameiro testing Pau Lopez. A low shot and a shot won two with Chelsea loanee Angelo Gabriel. The away side kept pushing, enjoying the majority of possession in the first 45, struggling to convert that dominance into clear chances. Dylan Bacqua fluffing his lines having been found by Gameiro. So Marseille survived through to half-time with their lead intact and hoped in a good position to further improve their impressive record against Strasbourg, posting an unbeaten streak of 16 league games with their last defeat to Lurating. A number of recent encounters have ended in draws though, so a certainly glimpse of hope for Patrick Vieira and his side. It was Les Olympiens who came within centimetres of the second goal. Jordan Veretout, former Aston Villa man, saw his effort blocked by Marvin Sanaya who almost dragged the ball into his own net before recovering somehow. Missing key attackers, Emmanuel Omega and Lebo Motiba. Patrick Vieira threw on teenage forward Jeremy Seba as part of a double change with 10 minutes remaining to prove inspired. Strasbourg got off 13 shots in the final 45, eventually after Bacqua had gone far closer than he did in the first half, one did find the back of the net. Another free kick, a Jonathan Claus header which fell to Seba who found the bottom corner. The first goal coming in the third minute of the game, the second in the second minute of stoppage time. One at either end. The latest equaliser for Strasbourg in a league away game since 2018, and he could even have won it late on. Moise Sai scored two in the Coupe de France victory during the week, but not the finish, squandering a late chance. So maybe a little late relief to go with their late disappointment for Marseille who missed the opportunity to close in on the European spots. Strasbourg ensure they keep that top five this side of the horizon.