I am finally back on the blog, as I had the first chance in months to watch a game in full (my work schedule often prevents this from happening). This game certainly did not disappoint, offering plenty of highs and lows to examine. If I had only seen the headline, I would have had a hard time believing it. Click below for my takeaways and player ratings.

Thauvin Continues to Impress

What more can be said about Thauvin? The player, once ousted from the club and hated by the fans, has cemented his status as arguably the team’s best player (besides Gustavo). In a game where l’OM needed to score tons of goals (for goal difference reasons), the winger scored a hat trick, and added an assist. Four goals, all with his name involved. In Ligue 1 this season, he has now surpassed 20 goals either scored or created. A stunning statistic for a player that was once deemed a bust. Let us hope he can continue his form for the rest of the season, and make the France world cup roster.

The Team can Score 

With the defense seen as the weakest link of the team (despite solid performances all year), the attack has a responsibility to score as much as possible. Today, that talent was put on display against weak opposition. Despite the departures of strikers such as Michy Batshauyi and Bafétimbi Gomis in recent years, Garcia has created a system where a multitude of players can score. We see week after week that the goals are largely coming from attacking midfielders (Thauvin). While Germain has found his scoring form recently (6 goals in 8 games), strikers in Garcia’s team seem to be focused on creating and holding up the ball rather than scoring.

Garcia is Wrong in not Playing Rocchia

Rocchia, the young left back, is seen as one of the promising youngsters in the club. Despite this, he has seen very few minutes this season. While Garcia may feel he is not ready, today’s game proved why he needs to revise his decision. Bouna Sarr and Hiroki Sakai both took knocks during the game, with Sarr leaving the field to be replaced by Henri Bedimo. In a game where your team is leading 5-0, what do you have to gain playing an old defender who is close to retiring over a youngster looking for minutes? Bedimo’s entrance did not prevent a slew of Metz goals, either. If Rocchia does not feel he will get playing time with l’OM (especially once Jordan Amavi returns), he will leave the club and likely become a star somewhere else. That must not happen.

Player Ratings

Mandanda – 5

Sarr – 6

Rami – 5.5

Rolando – 4.5

Sakai – 5

Zambo – 4.5

Gustavo – 6

Sanson – 6.5

Payet – 6.5

Germain – 7

Thauvin – 10

Thank you!