Marseille slump to Strasbourg draw as title hopes dwindle

MARSEILLE: Marseille were held to a 1-1 draw at home to Strasbourg on Sunday, leaving Roberto De Zerbi’s side nine points behind runaway Ligue 1 leaders Paris Saint-Germain. Emanuel Emegha put in-form Strasbourg in front midway through the first period but Mason Greenwood hit back from the spot after the hour to level.

Marseille sit second on 37 points, but lost further ground in the title race to champions PSG who secured a late 2-1 win at Lens on Saturday. The draw ended Strasbourg’s impressive run of three successive league victories as they stay 10th on 24 points.

Sleepy Marseille defending allowed Emegha to sneak back onside near the halfway line before being sprung by an Andrey Santos through ball. The Dutch striker dinked a composed finish past the advancing Geronimo Rulli to silence the Velodrome on 23 minutes.

The home side dominated the ball for the remainder of the half but failed to break through, with Luis Henrique coming closest through an effort that grazed the post seven minutes before the break. Shortly after the hour, Marseille were offered a lifeline when Santos scythed down Robinio Vaz in the Strasbourg box.