Olympique Marseille recorded a businesslike victory over AEK Athens on Thursday evening: 0-2. Goals from Chancel Mbemba in the first half and Ismaïla Sarr in injury time gave the French team the three points. It may be a relief for Ajax, which seems to have to focus on third place in the group stage.
On the Marseille side, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who scored twice against Ajax, was absent due to an injury. At AEK, Nordin Amrabat could count on a starting place again. The same applied to Domagoj Vida, better known in Amsterdam as the winking Croatian.
In an unexciting first half, the French took the lead in Athens after about 25 minutes of play. From a corner kick by Jonathan Clauss, Mbemba headed hard through the ground: 0-1.
With that goal, the defender honored Valentin Rongier, who has been out of action for several months with a knee injury. In the second act, the home team immediately had a chance to equalize. However, a header from striker Levi Garcia was prey for Marseille goalkeeper Pau López.
The Spanish closing post also had an answer to an attempt by Mijat Gacinovic, who had already received a yellow card earlier in the half for a laughable move.
On the other hand, the Greek goalkeeper also made a save on an attempt made by Vitinha. In the final phase, Marseille decided the match. Sarr shot the liberating second goal against the ropes: 2-0.
With the victory, Marseille climbs to the top position in the group stage, with eight points. The French have Brighton & Hove Albion in their wake, who take second place with seven points. AEK is on four points and will most likely have to compete with Ajax (two points) for third place, which entitles them to participate in an intermediate round in the Conference League.