Greenwood’s Impressive Marseille Debut
Mason Greenwood stole the spotlight on his Marseille debut, scoring twice in a 5-1 victory over Brest in Ligue 1 on Saturday. The former Manchester United forward made an immediate impact by netting within three minutes of kickoff. He added another goal from the penalty spot on the half-hour mark, following Luis Henrique’s earlier strike. Greenwood was also involved in both of Henrique’s goals, contributing to a strong performance by Marseille.
Lille’s Winning Start Despite Injury Concerns
Lille secured a winning start to their season with a 2-0 victory over Reims, despite a serious injury to midfielder Angel Gomes. Gomes, a former Manchester United academy graduate like Greenwood, suffered a head injury from a clash with Reims’ Amadou Kone. The collision left Gomes unconscious, and Kone was subsequently sent off for the dangerous tackle. Lille’s coach, Bruno Genesio, expressed his fear over the incident, stating, “The latest news is rather reassuring, but it’s better to be careful.” He also criticized Kone’s conduct, calling the foul unacceptable.
Marseille’s New Signings Make an Impact
Greenwood, who joined Marseille from Old Trafford last month, was one of five new faces in the lineup. The other new signings included Argentine goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli, Canadian defender Derek Cornelius, Danish midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, and French forward Elye Wahi. Rulli, who recently joined from Ajax, made a memorable debut by saving an early penalty from Romain Del Castillo. Coach Roberto De Zerbi, who took over Marseille in June, praised his team’s performance, saying, “I’m very pleased with the result and the attitude of the team.”
Brest’s Challenging Start
Brest, coming off their best-ever season where they finished third, faced a challenging start to their campaign. Several key players departed, and others were missing due to injuries or suspensions. Brest’s coach, Eric Roy, acknowledged the tough start and said, “We need to rethink things if we want to get a good result at Lens.” He emphasized the importance of the team’s ability to react and adapt.
Lille Overcomes Injury to Secure Victory
Despite the lengthy stoppage for Gomes’ treatment, Lille managed to secure a win against Reims. Bafode Diakite scored just before half-time, and Jonathan David sealed the victory with a late goal. Lille’s win comes as they prepare to face Slavia Prague in the Champions League play-offs.
Other Ligue 1 Highlights
In other Ligue 1 action, Monaco, last season’s runners-up, edged out promoted Saint-Etienne 1-0 thanks to a goal from Takumi Minamino. Paris Saint-Germain began their title defense with a convincing 4-1 win over Le Havre on Friday, marking their first game since Kylian Mbappe’s departure to Real Madrid.
Conclusion
Mason Greenwood’s debut for Marseille was marked by his impressive performance, scoring twice and contributing significantly to the team’s victory. Lille’s win, despite Angel Gomes’ injury scare, showed their resilience and readiness for the season ahead. Both teams’ performances set a promising tone for the Ligue 1 season, with significant challenges and opportunities lying ahead. Stay updated with the latest from IPL365.
