Player ratings | Marseille 1-1 Strasbourg: Late goal from substitute Sebas rescues a point for visitors

Ligue 1 returned following the end of the winter break with a clash that would see Olympique de Marseille host Racing Club de Strasbourg Alsace. A contest that would pit 6th against 9th. 

Marseille looked to continue their resurgence under Gennaro Gattuso into the new year with a fast start against Strasbourg. A low-driven cross into Vitinha kept alive a routine set-piece. The record-signing flicked the ball into the path of the onrushing Samuel Gigot who headed home to open the scoring for Les Phocéens in the 3rd minute. 

It was a goal that looked to continue a trend of eighteen games for Strasbourg against Marseille without a victory. Strasbourg were fighting against the tides of their recent history but did so valiantly, by taking control of possession. They looked to patiently knit passes through a defence that had only conceded twice this season at home. 

Kevin Gamerio came close when he finished a passing combination that pulled the Marseille defence out of shape, but his shot was low and towards Pau López. Chances beyond that were fairly slim for the visitors. 

Les Phocéens were aggressive out of possession and snapped into challenges. Once they got the ball, Marseille looked to attack on the break with fast counters but ultimately they missed a clinical edge to add to their lead. The first half ended with Marseille the stronger side, but providing enough of a glimmer of hope for Strasbourg to consider that they were still in this. 

Strasbourg came into the second half as the stronger side as they carried on their dominance of possession. However, as the lowest goal scorers in the top half of the table, Strasbourg struggled as they have done so most of this season in converting their advantageous positions into