Leverkusen (Germany) (AFP) – OM had a very bad start to the Europa League with three defeats in the first three days, but they bounced back superbly on Thursday by winning 1-0 on the pitch at Bayer Leverkusen, one of their most formidable opponents, and can believe in qualification.

Published on: 05/11/2026 - 23:34

In the new format of European competitions, progressing after losing your first three matches is possible, the figures say it. And Bruno Genesio believes in it, he promised it again on Wednesday at a press conference.

But with these three points brought back from Germany, hope now really exists and the bar of ten points (or even nine) necessary to reach the play-offs no longer seems so high.

Before hosting Levski Sofia then Celta Vigo, OM actually moved up from 34th to 31st place. Nothing to brag about, certainly, but the waterline for the 24th and final qualifying place is only one length away.

Above all, the dynamic established in the championship with four successes in a row is rubbing off in Europe and this is excellent news for Genesio and his family.

To believe it a little more, and despite the important trip planned for Sunday to Lensois traumatized by the Como storm, the Marseille coach had this time decided to limit the turnover and field a very competitive team.

With its best players, Nayef Aguerd, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Himad Abdelli, Igor Paixao and Amine Gouiri, OM had an excellent start to the match and, more generally, a good first period and a very coherent match.

In front of Rudi Völler

At kick-off, Bayer Leverkusen was at the top of the rankings (2nd) and looked down on OM, placed at the very bottom of the ladder. But after the first 45 minutes, very balanced and poor in chances, the feared gap had not materialized.

It was even Marseille, via Amine Gouiri, who had the clearest opportunity, and it really was. But the opposing goalkeeper, Mark Flekken, came out very well in front of the Algerian (7th).

On the German side, we had to wait until the last five minutes before the break to see Miguel Gutierrez then Jarell Quansah be dangerous with deflected shots. Bayer, all the same, then regained control of the ball and the match after a successful first half hour on the OM side.

Under the eyes of Rudi Völler, a double Marseille and local legend, the rest was initially difficult, due to a lack of spontaneity, and speed too, around the Geoffrey Kondogbia-Hojbjerg duo, whose liveliness is not the primary quality.

But with fewer balls, OM still found good striking positions for Paixao (56th), Gouiri (57th) or Kondogbia (64th). It was in fact only a taste and Marseille was then able to take full advantage of Bayer's rather lazy match.

In the 77th minute, Gouiri took advantage of the opponent's defensive generosity to start from midfield and finish with a nice curling shot (1-0).

With all his sharpest weapons on the pitch, Genesio didn't have much ammunition on the bench, but Tadjidine Mmadi, Alexi Koum, Neal Maupay or Tochukwu Nnadi came in and did what they could and what it took to hold on.

At the final whistle, the thousands of Marseille supporters who came to Leverkusen were able to exult. Their OM is still there and can truly believe in a European future.

© 2026 AFP

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