Marseille gave new coach Igor Tudor a victory to mark his first competitive game in charge of the club as they secured a 4-1 win at home to Reims on Sunday - a Wout Faes own-goal, a debut strike from Arsenal loanee Nuno Tavares and new signing Luis Suarez with a brace helped secure last season's runners-up an opening victory.
THE MATCH
OM's fractious pre-season in which they failed to win a single warm-up friendly was not forgotten by the fans as they roundly booed new coach Igor Tudor's name before kick off, but they were soon a lot happier as Wout Faes turned Jonathan Clauss' cross past his own goalkeeper with just 13 minutes on the clock.
Given Patrick Pentz only arrived at Reims to replace Predrag Rajkovic this summer, the lack of understanding between him and his centre-back could be forgiven. The new recruit from Austria Vienna was named the Austrian top flight's number one goalkeeper in the last two seasons, and he showed why with a brilliant reflex stop to push Cengiz Ünder's close-range blast onto the crossbar (17').
Valetin Rongier also struck a post when a poor headed clearance fell to him just outside the penalty area (25') as Marseille continued their strong start, but they then allowed Reims to sneak back into the game.
Rongier and Nuno Tavares went for the same Pentz clearance, allowing the ball to run for El Bilal Touré, who — instead of advancing on goal — sought an early shot that was comfortably fielded by Ruben Blanco (39').
The Marseille goalkeeper — a summer loan signing from Celta Vigo and playing due to a groin injury to Pau Lopez — then required Matteo Guendouzi to scramble a loose ball clear after he had spilled Mitchell van Bergen's shot very nearly into the path of Arber Zeneli deep inside the OM penalty area (43').
But then Nuno Tavares stepped up to give Marseille a plumper half-time cushion. A deep ball down the left allowed the Portugal U21 international to use his pace, and he then turned back upfield and sped across the edge of the box before firing low into the far bottom corner (45+2').
Whether it was the heat — it was still nearly 30°C at kick-off on the Mediterraean coast — or whether Reims stepped up their game, OM were less effective after the break.
The emergence from the bench of Luis Suarez — the Colombian striker signed from Granada in the summer — rejuvenated the hosts, and he struck Marseille's third. When the ball came into the box from the right, he produced an instinctive shot that was blocked by Andreaw Gravillon, but it ricocheted back to him and he guided a low shot into the far corner (75').
Reims had an Arsenal loanee of their own in Folarin Balogun, and he showed his own sharp attacking instincts when Kamory Doumbia's cross was deflected up and into his path, guiding a header beyond Ruben Blanco to cut OM's lead (84').
The visitors' deficit would have been reduced still further had Ruben Blanco not shot out a foot to kick away Mitchell van Bergen's shot (90'), but any hopes Oscar Garcia's men had of taking something from the game were lost when Luis Suarez tapped in Cédric Bakambu's cross to wrap up a counter-attack and a Marseille win (90+4').
THE PLAYER: Luis Suarez
The 24-year-old only had 28 minutes to make an impact, but he certainly did that. His movement was one thing, his finishing another, and they were equally as impressive as the other. Busy and effective in front of goal, he looks to be a real summer transfer window steal from Granada.
THE STAT: 300
Dimitri Payet came off the bench with 12 minutes left to make his 300th appearance for Marseille.
