Ligue 1: OM falls back in Lorient and remains under pressure in the race for the Champions League

After their success against Metz last weekend, the Phocéens were dominated by the Merlus (2-0) on Saturday.

Published on the 18th of April 2026 at 18:56, updated at 19:01, the reading time is 2 minutes.

Pablo Pagis faced Mason Greenwood during the 30th day match of Ligue 1 between Lorient and Olympique de Marseille on April 18, 2026. (FRED TANNEAU / AFP)

Undefeated against Lorient in their last 13 encounters in Ligue 1 since October 18, 2015, the Olympique de Marseille players fell on April 18, at Moustoir (2-0). Goals by Panos Katseris in the 28th minute and Bamba Dieng in the 58th minute allowed the Merlus to end this unfortunate series.

Victorious last weekend against the bottom-ranked Metz (3-1), OM relapsed against the promoted team and could see their direct competitors in the race for qualification for the next Champions League pass them by at the end of this 30th day.

Arriving in Brittany with a defense of three – Balerdi-Emerson-Pavard, the Olympians are still in search of a solid foundation in front of their goal. The gaping hole left behind them on Katseris’ goal (1-0, 28th), with a good run by Bamba Dieng, once again weighed down OM.

While this prompted Mason Greenwood and his partners to react, their offensive impotence was also exposed this afternoon. This is evidenced by a high number of crosses (21 in the first half) that never found takers.

After the break, the return to a four-defender system did not at all help Marseille regain composure at the back. Undoubtedly, without Geronimo Rulli, superb against Bamba Dieng (49th) and Pablo Pagis (62nd), the scoreline could have been even heavier at Moustoir. And it was the former OM player who came to score the second goal with a delicate chip, taking advantage of a once again faltering Marseille defensive line (2-0, 58th).

With this success, Lorient solidify their position in the top half of the table (9th with 41 points). As for Habib Beye’s men, still in 4th place, they could potentially finish this 30th day in 6th place if Rennes (5:15 pm against Strasbourg) and Lyon (8:45 pm against PSG) win, their direct competitors for the Champions League.