PLAYER RATINGS | Brighton 1-0 Marseille – late Pedro strike sees Seagulls top Group B at OM’s expense
Joao Pedro’s late strike sees Brighton and Hove Albion clinch top spot of Europa League’s Group B, as Marseille will have to content themselves with Champions League opposition in the Europa League play-offs. It was a much anticipated build up for both sides at the Amex Stadium, neither side wanting to face Champions League opposition in the Europa league knockout round.
It was the Seagulls who began the game on the front foot, creating several early chances through Brazilian Joao Pedro and Simon Adingra, De Zerbi’s side looking for the win which would see them top the group. Marseille had a few early forays forward, despite a lack of possession. Brighton keeper Jason Steele was worried when a deflected shot from Jonathan Clauss rattled the cross bar in the 15th minute – but that was as close as it got for the Olympiens in the first period.
If Gattuso had claimed before the match that playing for a draw would need some ‘divine intervention’, it was exactly the approach that OM were taking in the first period, sitting back whilst the home side tried to find a killer final ball. One Italian sober-looking on the bench, the other issuing instructions at 200km/h to try and find a way to break the deadlock.
Jonathan Clauss’s cross flashed in front of Steele’s goal-mouth, whilst minutes later Joao Pedro’s swivelled shot wasn’t enough to test Pau Lopez. Half time came with a lot to improve for both Group B sides.
Brighton’s high press was a big disruption for Gattuso’s side to play out the back, but OM grew slightly into the second half. Amine Harit carved out a shot which hit the post and was needed to be cleared off the line from Jan Paul Van Hecke.
It was time to roll the dice for De Zerbi, who brought on young Irish striker
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