Dimitri Payet scored his 100th Ligue 1 goal but Olympique de Marseille slumped to their first domestic defeat of the season on Saturday, going down 2-1 at home to AC Ajaccio at the Orange Vélodrome.
Olympique de Marseille 1-2 AC Ajaccio
THE MATCH
Things started well for the hosts at the Vélodrome, as Payet stroked in a penalty to put Igor Tudor’s side after Ajaccio defender Cédric Avinel had handled the ball in his own area (15’). However, Marseille’s lead did not last long, with the Corsicans equalising in the 25th minute courtesy of an excellent left-foot strike from range by Bevic Moussiti-Oko.
Rubén Blanco was making his third start in goal for OM, and his first since the 1-1 draw at Stade Brestois 29 in Round 2. He was beaten again two minutes into the second half, when Youssouf Koné – making his Ajaccio debut at left-back – sent in a cross from the left and Leonardo Balerdi helped it into his own net.
That proved to be decisive, as Ajaccio held on to claim just their second win since returning to the top flight, but their second in as many away outings. It is a first defeat of the league season for OM, and means they risk losing ground on Paris Saint-Germain before facing the leaders in the first Classique of the campaign.
THE PLAYER: Leonardo Balerdi
It has been a difficult start to the season for the Argentine defender, who just a few weeks ago was substituted before the half-hour mark by Tudor in a 2-1 home win over LOSC Lille. He scored in the midweek UEFA Champions League victory over Sporting of Portugal, but on this occasion his own goal handed Ajaccio all three points.
THE STAT: 100
Dimitri Payet’s penalty was his 100th goal in Ligue 1. He has also provided 112 assists, making him the first current Ligue 1 Uber Eats player to notch a century of goals and assists.
