On December 11, 2013, Olympique Marseille faced Borussia Dortmund in the final match of the UEFA Champions League Group F at the Stade Vélodrome in Marseille, France. Borussia Dortmund secured a 2-1 victory, which allowed them to advance to the knockout stages as group winners.
Key Statistics and Analysis
- Scoreline and Goal Timings:
- Olympique Marseille: 1 (Souleymane Diawara 14′)
- Borussia Dortmund: 2 (Robert Lewandowski 4′, Kevin Großkreutz 87′)
- Possession:
- Borussia Dortmund had 62% possession, while Olympique Marseille had 38%. Dortmund’s control of the ball allowed them to dictate the pace and create more opportunities throughout the match.
- Shots:
- Borussia Dortmund registered 20 shots, with 7 on target, showcasing their attacking intent and pressure on Marseille’s defense. Olympique Marseille managed 8 shots, with 2 on target, struggling to create clear chances against a well-organized Dortmund side.
- Passing Accuracy:
- Borussia Dortmund had a passing accuracy of 85%, completing 518 passes out of 609 attempts. Olympique Marseille had a passing accuracy of 72%, completing 244 passes out of 340 attempts. Dortmund’s superior passing and ball retention were key factors in maintaining control of the game.
- Defensive Statistics:
- Olympique Marseille made 20 tackles compared to Borussia Dortmund’s 10, highlighting their efforts to disrupt Dortmund’s play and regain possession. Dortmund’s defense, led by Mats Hummels and Sokratis Papastathopoulos, was effective in neutralizing Marseille’s attacking threats.
- Set Pieces:
- Borussia Dortmund took an early lead in the 4th minute when Robert Lewandowski scored after a defensive error by Marseille. The Polish striker took advantage of the mistake and slotted the ball past the goalkeeper. Marseille equalized in the 14th minute through Souleymane Diawara, who headed in from a corner, leveling the match. Despite being reduced to 10 men after Dimitri Payet was sent off in the 34th minute, Marseille held on until the 87th minute, when Kevin Großkreutz scored the winning goal for Dortmund with a low shot from the edge of the box.
- Individual Performances:
- Robert Lewandowski was instrumental for Borussia Dortmund, scoring the opening goal and constantly threatening Marseille’s defense. Kevin Großkreutz also played a crucial role, scoring the decisive goal late in the match. For Olympique Marseille, Souleymane Diawara stood out by scoring the equalizer, but his defensive efforts were not enough to keep Dortmund at bay.
- Tactical Overview:
- Borussia Dortmund, managed by Jürgen Klopp, used a 4-2-3-1 formation, focusing on controlling the midfield and pressing high up the pitch. Olympique Marseille, under Élie Baup, also used a 4-2-3-1 formation but were forced to play more defensively, especially after going down to 10 men. Dortmund’s tactical discipline and ability to capitalize on key moments were decisive in securing the victory.
- Disciplinary:
- The match saw three yellow cards and one red card. Marseille’s Dimitri Payet was sent off in the 34th minute after receiving his second yellow card. Kevin Großkreutz and Robert Lewandowski were booked for Dortmund, while Diawara received a yellow card for Marseille.
- Corners and Offsides:
- Borussia Dortmund won 6 corners compared to Olympique Marseille’s 3, reflecting their sustained pressure in the attacking third. Both teams were caught offside twice, indicating their attempts to push forward and create scoring opportunities.
Summary
Borussia Dortmund’s 2-1 victory over Olympique Marseille was a hard-fought win that secured their place at the top of Group F, allowing them to advance to the knockout stages of the UEFA Champions League. The match was marked by an early goal from Robert Lewandowski, followed by an equalizer from Souleymane Diawara. Despite Marseille’s resilience, especially after being reduced to 10 men, Dortmund’s persistence paid off when Kevin Großkreutz scored the decisive goal in the 87th minute.
Dortmund’s control of possession, combined with their high pressing and ability to exploit Marseille’s defensive lapses, were key factors in their success. Marseille, while showing determination, especially after going down to 10 men, ultimately fell short against a superior Dortmund side.
The result was crucial for Borussia Dortmund as it allowed them to progress to the knockout stages as group winners, maintaining their momentum in Europe. For Olympique Marseille, the match concluded a disappointing Champions League campaign, as they finished the group stage without any points.
