Frozen out of the senior squad and then reintegrated, Keyliane Abdallah gave OM victory at Lens (2-1) by scoring in the 82nd minute. Marseille coach Bruno Genesio sees it as proof of strong character.
Keyliane Abdallah, the 20-year-old Olympique de Marseille winger, had a mixed evening on Sunday. Named in the squad to face RC Lens, he came on in the 78th minute in place of Amine Harit, then scored the winning goal four minutes later (2-1), in the final match of Ligue 1 matchday 10.
A scenario that contrasts with the player’s recent weeks, having been frozen out of the senior squad after a disappointing cameo against Le Havre (4-3) on 25 October, then sent to the reserves. He notably missed the match against Toulouse (2-0) last week. Reintegrated into the squad at the start of the week, he seized his chance at Lens.
A decisive goal at Lens
The goal, scored in the 82nd minute, came from a blocked shot by Amine Gouiri. It is Abdallah’s second in Ligue 1 this season, in nine appearances, and seals Marseille’s win (2-1).
The victory confirms OM’s good momentum, as they rack up a fifth consecutive league win and move into the top 4.
The reaction of Genesio and Weah
Speaking after the match, Bruno Genesio was full of praise for his player: “Symbolic, no, on the contrary I think it reveals his character. First of all his qualities, but we know he has those, but his character, because after the decision I took following the Le Havre match, he could have failed to question himself or looked for excuses, and he did the opposite, he worked. I had good reports of his behaviour with the reserves, which is why we brought him back.”
Captain Timothy Weah also praised his teammate’s performance: “I’m proud of him. You see, sometimes, when you’re young, it’s hard to stay invested all the time, because experience counts for a lot. I think the coach had a little dig at him last week, but it was for his own good.”
Abdallah’s aim: keep it going
Bruno Genesio, who had chosen to reintegrate the player after his spell in the reserves, now wants Abdallah to keep it up.
OM will not play again before Ligue 1 resumes after the international break. Until then, the young winger must confirm the good impressions he left at Lens.