Igor Tudor justified the premature exit of Mattéo Guendouzi, very annoyed by his replacement on the hour mark against Eintracht Frankfurt (1-2, 5th day of the group stage of the Champions League).
“I played an offensive card”
The image will remain as one of the highlights of the debates. Wednesday evening, Matteo Guendouzi did not appreciate leaving the pitch at the hour mark, when meeting theOlympic Marseille on the field of Eintracht Frankfurt (2-1 defeat) counting for the 5th day of the group stage of the Champions League. Author in the 22nd minute of the only Marseille goal on German soil, the French midfielder was replaced by Cengiz Ünder while the Bouches-du-Rhône club was behind and pushed to come back up to Kevin Trapp’s partners.
I don’t think anyone understood why Mattéo Guendouzi left… #SGEOM #TeamOM pic.twitter.com/E3cHcZEwZL
— Info OM (@InfosOM_) October 26, 2022
On learning of his coach’s decision, the former Arsenal resident left the field head down, with the mask on, before returning to the substitutes’ bench. Surprised by the choice of the Croatian technician, the 23-year-old player probably expected to play the entire match and continue until the end to bring his stone to the building. Facing the media, in statements transcribed by the newspaper Provencethe successor of Jorge Sampaoli justified the premature exit of the native of Poissy. “I wanted to bring even more offensive solutions, I played an offensive card to have even more striking force and penetration.”
This reaction from Mattéo Guendouzi should remain short-lived and without too many consequences. This defeat in Frankfurt seriously complicates the mission of Olympique de Marseille, but the condition is now simple for qualification in the round of 16 of the competition. Last in Group D with six points, one length behind Eintracht Frankfurt and Sporting Portugal and two units from Tottenham, the Marseillais will qualify if they succeed against Spurs next Tuesday at the Orange Vélodrome.