The China Mail - Marseille see Champions League chance slip further away

The Marseille hierarchy hoped a verbal blast from sporting director Medhi Benatia following a pitiful 2-0 defeat to Lorient last weekend would fire the players to a desperately-needed three points to relaunch their bid for a top-four place in Ligue 1.

Captain Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg put them ahead with a diving header in the second half, but Elye Wahi grabbed a point for the visitors with a 'panenka' penalty in the 88th minute.

To rub salt into Marseille's wounds, Wahi was one of their high-profile signings in 2024 before leaving the club after just six months.

The draw leaves Marseille sixth and staring at a financially damaging failure to qualify for Europe's top club competition.

The top three teams in France earn Champions League places while the fourth-placed club goes into the qualifying rounds.

Marseille are four points behind Lyon and Lille, who both have 57 points, and three behind Rennes.

Lille secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory away to Paris FC on Sunday to stay firmly in contention for an automatic Champions League place.

Belgian forward Matias Fernandez-Pardo converted a 26th-minute penalty after a foul on Romain Perraud, sending former Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Kevin Trapp the wrong way with his spot kick.

The win puts Lille level on 57 points with third-placed Lyon, who beat Auxerre 3-2 on Saturday.

However Lille will rue their narrow victory as they now have the same goal difference as Lyon, but the run-in favours Lille who will face lower-table clubs Le Havre and Auxerre.

Lyon, on the other hand, still have to play Rennes, who have their own European aspirations.

Elsewhere, Metz staved off relegation for at least another week with an entertaining 4-4 draw away to Le Havre.

Gauthier Hein was Metz's saviour, scoring in the 85th minute to bring the scores level having earlier netted from the penalty spot.

X.So--ThChM