A Duje Caleta-Car howler meant that Nigerian forward Cyriel Dessers’ brace gave Feyenoord a 3-2 victory against Olympique de Marseille’s in the UEFA Europa Conference League at De Kuip.
Feyenoord started off well, and were able to hold off Marseille’s early pressure. As the hosts grew into the game, they continuously were able to get behind Marseille’s back line with balls from above.
Their first goal came when Luis Sinisterra received the ball, and backheeled it to teammate Dessers, who was able to slot it past Steve Mandanda and score.
The hosts’ second came two minutes later with another long ball over the top to Reiss Nelson. He passed to Sinisterra, whose first tine shot took a deflection into the net.
After scoring twice, the hosts seemed to take their foot off the gas, allowing Marseille back into the match. Bamba Dieng, who had earlier scuffed two big chances, got his side back in it by scoring an absolute rocket from outside the box, with the spin on the ball giving Ofir Marciano no chance.
The equaliser came in the 40th minute when Marciano spilled Matteo Guendouzi’s cross, straight to Gerson who hammered it into the net.
Ten seconds after the whistle to start the second half, Caleta-Car made an awfully silly mistake. He attempted to pass the ball to his keeper, but it was extremely short, allowing Dessers to pounce and score his second of the night, giving Feyenoord the lead again.
The end of the second half consisted of the home side trying to calm play down, while Marsielle attempted everything to try and find a third goal. They had several chances near the end from Dimitri Payet but Marciano, who made seven saves, stood firm and ensured his side go into the second leg with the adantage.
Before the two sides meet next week, Feyenoord will visit Fortuna Sittard as they look to finish third in the Eridivise, while Marsielle will host Lyon in ther bid to finish second in Ligue 1.
PLAYER OF THE MATCH: CYRIEL DESSERS
The Nigerian striker took control of the game putting his side 1-0 up, and then getting them back into it by cleverly capatalising on Marseille’s mistakes. Outside of his five shots (three of which were on target) he was key in holding up the ball, using linking up play, and pressing from the front. He nearly got his hattrick before being subbed off to thunderous applause and cheers from the home fans in the 82nd minute.
He would be hoping for more of the same in the second leg at Stade Vélodrome next week Thursday.
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