Marseille earn themselves a free kick on the left wing, and it's taken short and send to Silva. The Brazilian decides to unleash an audacious strike from 35 yards out but, unsurprisingly, it ends up flying well over the top of the crossbar and out of play for a goal kick.
90' +4
Marseille earn themselves yet another corner, which is flung into the middle of the box before finding Batshuayi on the edge of the penalty area. The youngster immediately unleashes a curling shot but it's poorly hit and flies straight into the hands of Koubek, who then falls on the ball and holds onto it for as long as possible.
90' +2
L. Bartošák gets yellow.
Dja Djedje flies down the right flank on a great run before being cynically tripped over by Bartosak, who is awarded a yellow card as a result.
90' +1
Another excellent save by Koubek! A dangerous cross in from the left flank finds Ocampos, who rises high above the Liberec defence to meet the ball with his head. His effort looks set for the bottom left-hand corner of the net but the goalkeeper is there to parry it away with a strong diving stop.
90'
M. Kerbr enters the game and replaces J. Šural.
Sural makes his way off the pitch to be replaced by Kerbr in what will be Liberec's final change of the night.
The fourth official has indicated that there will be five minutes of added time.
88'
Marseille quickly win back possession and come at Liberec once again, this time with every available white shirt camped inside the visitors' half of the pitch. Dja Djedge ends up curling a deep cross into the penalty area but it's sent too near to Koubek, who is easily able to deal with the danger.
86'
What a chance for Rekik to equalise! A Marseille corner bounces around the Liberec penalty area before falling into the path of the centre-back, who unleashes a bullet header that Koubek is somehow able to parry away with a strong save.
84'
V. Coufal has scored a goal for Slovan Liberec! Assist by D. Pavelka.
GOAL! Completely against the run of play, Liberec have scored what might by the winner! A corner from Sural isn't dealt with at all well by the Marseille defence, allowing the ball to drop to Coufal. The left-back then unleashes a thumping strike from close range that flies past Rolando and under Mandanda before nestling into the back of the net. The home fans look absolutely shell-shocked!
82'
B. Sarr enters the game and replaces R. Alessandrini.
Marseille have made their final substitution, with Sarr coming on to take the place of Alessandrini for the final eight minutes of the game.
Minute
Description
81'
Great strike by Barrada! Ocampos flies forward in acres of space in the middle of the pitch before teeing up the aforementioned Moroccan, who spins on the spot before unleashing a thumping 25-yard strike that Koubek does well to parry away from danger with a diving save.
79'
Sloppy play from Liberec allows Batshuayi the opportunity to charge towards goal, but just as he's about to shoot he's dispossessed by an excellent tackle from Pokorny, who timed that interception to perfection.
77'
A lofted ball forward from Silva is deflected out of play for a corner, which is then curled into the middle of the box. It's well hit but the Liberec defence, who have defended set-pieces extremely well this evening, deal with this one just as well as they did the last.
75'
Marseille patiently work the ball around midway inside the Liberec half of the pitch but are unable to find a way through the blue shirts camped in front of them, which forces Rolando into sending it back to Mandanda.
74'
D. Bartl enters the game and replaces H. Shala.
Shala makes his way off to be replaced by Bartl in Liberec's second substitution of the evening.
72'
No matter what they try and do, Marseille just can't seem to break down Liberec's stubborn defence. The visitors have defended brilliantly thus far and are really starting to frustrate the hosts, who are throwing everything they've got at the Czech side.
71'
A. Barrada enters the game and replaces R. Cabella.
Marseille have made their second change, with Cabella maing way for Barrada.
70'
What a chance for Batshuayi! Liberec just can't seem to get the ball out of their own penalty area, allowing Alessandrini to unleash a shot from the edge of the box. Koubek can only punch it into the path of the aforementioned striker, who then ends up sending his first-time volley off a blue shirt and out for a corner.
68'
Marseille quickly work their way down the right flank before earning themselves yet another corner. It's curled towards the near post, where it finds Romao, but the midfielder's bullet header ends up flying well wide of its intended target and out for a goal kick.
67'
B. Dja Djédjé enters the game and replaces M. Isla.
Marseille have decided to make their first substitution, with Dja Djedge coming on to replace Isla.
66'
Great strike by Alessandrini! Batshuayi holds up the ball well on the edge of the penalty area before teeing up the aforementioned winger, who then cuts inside before unleashing a curling shot that flies just a yard or so wide of the far post.
64'
Marseille patiently move the ball around as they attempt to find a way through the sea of blue shirts in front of them. Mendy is eventually able to send a curling cross into the middle of the box that finds Alessandrini, but the winger's attempted overhead kick is blocked well by Sykora.
62'
After plenty of pushing and shoving inside the box, Bartosak curls the resulting free kick towards the back post, but Rolando is there to deal with the danger with a strong headed clearance.
61'
L. Ocampos gets yellow.
Ocampos flies into Coufal and brings the right-back crashing to the ground, resulting in a free kick for Liberec in an extremely dangerous position just outside of the Marseille penalty area and a yellow card for the Argentine.
60'
Liberec are starting to enjoy more possession inside the Marseille half of the pitch, as the hosts have begun to tire and are sitting far deeper as a result.
58'
What a miss by Ocampos! A deflected strike from Alessandrini can only be pushed by Koubek into the path of the aforementioned Argentine, but somehow he ends up sending his first-time, close-range volley well wide of the goal. That was the perfect opportunity to make it 1-0 to the hosts!
56'
A rare period of Liberec pressure results in a corner for the visitors on the right flank. Sural flings the resulting set-piece towards the near post but Batshuayi is there to clear the danger with a thumping volley.
54'
Marseille work the ball around nicely before Mendy tries to tee up Ocampos with a deft through-ball past Coufal, but the left-back's attemted pass is poor and ends up rolling out of play for a throw-in.
52'
Liberec earn themselves a free kick on the left flank, which is flung into the middle of the Marseille penalty area. It bounces into the feet of Rolando, who spoons the ball up into the air before clattering into Coufal, leaving both of them in serious discomfort after clashing heads.
50'
Batshuayi goes close! Mendy flies forward on an excellent run down the left wing before curling a wonderful cross into the middle of the box, where it finds the aforementioned striker, but he can only send his close-range header just wide of the near post.
48'
Great chance for Silva! The Brazilian charges forward on an excellent run, exploiting the space left by the non-existant Liberec midfield, before unleashing a low shot from 25 yards out that ends up flying just past the far post.
47'
L. Pokorný gets yellow.
Great start by Marseille! The hosts immediately push forward, with Ocampos showing great skill and trickery on the edge of the penalty area before unleashing a thumping shot from 20 yards out that beats Koubek before flying over the top of the crossbar.
Marseille work the ball around well before Cabella picks it up in the middle of the pitch, but he's immediately scythed to the floor by a strong challenge from Pokorny, who earns a yellow card as a result.
46'
M. Bakoš enters the game and replaces M. Rabušic.
Liberec have decided to make one substitution during the half-time break, with Rabusic making way for Bakos.
And we're underway once again!
45' +2
Almost a terrible mistake by Isla! The right-back is incredibly sloppy in possession and sends the ball straight into the feet of Rabusic, who then spins and tees up Shala. The midfielder immediately unleashes a thumping shot from the edge of the penalty area but, luckily for the aforementioned Chilean, the Albania's strike is blocked by Rolando.
45' +1
Bartosak and Sykora link up wonderfully well on the left wing before the latter sends a looping cross towards Rabusic, but the striker is unable to get a head on the ball after being out-muscled by Mendy just as he was able to do so.
45'
The fourth official has indicated that there will be just one minute of added time.
44'
Marseille work the ball around nicely deep inside the Liberec half of the pitch before Alessandrini tries to tee up Batshuayi with a low cross from the right flank, but the winger's attempted delivery is poor and can only find the hands of Koubek at the near post.
43'
Coufal initially beats Mendy on the right flank and looks set to send a low cross into the Marseille penalty area, but the aforementioned left-back does well to redeem himself with a vital interception that results in a corner that, once again, Mandanda is comfortably able to deal with.
41'
The resulting corner bounces around the Liberec penalty area before falling to Cabella, but the on-loan attacking midfielder ends up sending curled strike straight into the hands of Koubek.
40'
What a chance for Marseille! Ocampos shows great skill and determination to beat two Liberec players on the left-hand side of the penalty area before sending an excellent low cross past Koubek and into the path of Batshuayi, but Pokorny is there to poke the ball out of play at the vital moment.
38'
Bartosak sends a looping cross into the heart of the Marseille penalty area from the resulting set-piece but it can only find Rolando, who heads the ball out of the box before Cabella finishes off the defensive job.
37'
K. Rekik gets yellow.
After dealing with the danger, Liberec break away on a blisteringly quick counter attack through Rabusic, who flies through the middle of the pitch before being scythed to the ground by Rekik, who is awarded a yellow card as a result.
36'
A strong run from Mendy results in yet another corner for Marseille, this time on the left flank. It's curled into a dangerous position in the middle of the penalty area but Pavelka is there to deal with the danger with a thumpin clearance.
35'
This time the set-piece delivery isn't quite as good, and it's easily picked out of the air by Mandanda. The goalkeeper then immediately sets up Cabella, who flies forward down the left flank before bringing a promising attacking move to a disappointing end with a poor pass that is easily cut out by Pokorny.
34'
So close from Sural! An excellent curling free kick looks certain to find the winger at the back post, but Romao is there to blast the ball out of play for a corner at the vital moment.
33'
After a long period of Marseille possession, Liberec are finally able to push forward once again. Coufal breaks down the right flank and battles with Ocampos before being brought down by the Argentine, resulting in a free kick for the visitors in a dangerous position.
31'
It's chance after chance for Marseille, who are all over Liberec at the moment. The visitors' defence are under an incredible amount of pressure at the moment and Batshuayi looks particularly impressive whenever he's able to get on the ball in the final third of the pitch.
29'
Great opportunity for Alessandrini! Lovely quick passes from Isla and Cabella help to guide the ball into the feet of Batshuayi, who holds it up well before teeing up the aforementioned number 11. He immediately unleashes a low shot but it's slightly scuffed and, as a result, ends up rolling a yard or two wide of the far post.
28'
Bartosak dispossesses Cabella with an excellent sliding tackle before kick-starting a Liberec counter attack. He breaks forward and plays a one-two with Rabusic before curling a cross towards the back post, but Mendy is there to beat Sural to the ball.
26'
Once again, the resulting set-piece finds Rekik, who rises high above the Liberec defence before sending his bullet header over the top of the crossbar and out of play for a goal kick.
25'
Cabella flies into the right-hand side of the Liberec box once again, but this time his low cross towards Batshuayi takes a deflection off the foot of Pokorny that sends it out of play for yet another Marseille corner.
24'
A lovely twist, turn and back-heel by Cabella on the right-hand side of the penalty area sets up Batshuayi with a chance to shoot, but the Belgian is immediately closed down by the well-organised Liberec defence and is dispossessed before he's able to do so.
22'
So close from Rekik! Ocampos sends an excellent curled cross towards the back post, where it finds the aforementioned defender, but he's unable to make any sort of clean contact with the ball and, as a result, his effort ends up bouncing agonisingly wide of the Liberec goal.
20'
Great chance for Batshuayi! The resulting set-piece bounces around the penalty area before falling at the feet of the striker, who immediately unleashes a bouncing volley that, once again, Koubek does well to push away with a strong diving save.
19'
Marseille are all over Liberec, who just can't seem to hold onto the ball for long periods of time. Once again, the visitors lose possession in a dangerous position, allowing Isla to fly down the right wing before curling a deep cross towards the back post. It finds the head of Alessandrini but his effort on goal is deflected out of play for a corner.
17'
Marseille earn themselves a free kick on the right flank, and it's sent short over to Silva in the middle of the pitch. He immediately tries to tee up Alessandrini with a chipped pass forward but it's completely overhit and is easily cut out by Koubek.
15'
A lofted pass forward from Hovorka flies over the top of the Marseille defence and into the path of Sural, who is unmarked on the edge of the penalty area, but the winger is immediately put under pressure by Rolando and, as a result, ends up scuffing his shot straight into the hands of Mandanda.
13'
Two more great opportunities for Marseilla! First, Alessandrini almost beats Koubek with a thumping effort from 20 yards out that the Liberec goalkeeper does well to parry away with his feet, before Cabella also sees his low shot dealt with by the Czech shot-stopper.
11'
Ocampos goes close again! This time an excellent low cross is flung into the middle of the penalty area by Mendy, but it flies past both the Argentine and Koubek beore bouncing over to the right flank.
9'
Great chance for Ocampos! Cabella is left in acres of space on the right-hand side of the Liberec penalty area, allowing him to take his time placing his chipped cross. As a result, it almost flies straight onto the head of the aforementioned Argentine, who goes down at the vital moment under a challenge from Coufal. The former Monaco man doesn't look impressed, but the referee tells him to get back to his feet.
8'
Shala picks up the ball in the middle of the pitch and immediately thumps a lofted pass towards Rabusic. The bounce almost causes Rolando problems but the centre-back does well to keep himself calm and composed to deal with the danger.
7'
A Marseille attack breaks down, allowing Liberec to finally push forward on their first attacking move of the game. Shala holds up the ball well in the middle of the pitch before spinning and teeing up Efremov, but the Russian can't beat Rekik and ends up dragging the left-back to the ground.
5'
It's been a commanding start to the game from Marseille, who are controlling the ball deep inside the Liberec half of the pitch and are already putting the visitors under an incredible amount of pressure.
3'
Once again, Cabella makes a nuisance of himself on the left wing before earning his side a free kick midway inside the Liberec half of the pitch. It's flung into the middle of the penalty area, where it finds Romao, but the midfielder's looping header ends up flying over the top of the crossbar and out for a goal kick.
2'
Marseille immediately win possession and embark on a quick attack through Cabella down the left flank. The attacking midfielder charges towards the byline before tangling with Hovorka, resulting in a free kick for Liberec on the edge of their own penalty area.
1'
And we're off! Liberec get us underway, attacking from right to left.
Good evening and welcome to our live text commentary of today’s Europa League clash between Marseille and Slovan Liberec. My name is Ben Cullimore and I will be keeping you up to date with all of the action from the Stade Velodrome.
Marseille head into tonight’s game looking to pick up their second consecutive Europa League victory after their convincing and comfortable 3-0 win away to Dutch side Groningen in their opening group stage clash. The positive result ended a 10-game winless run in European competitions for Les Phoceens, and they will be looking to go one better this evening as they aim to stay top of Group F for another week. They haven’t been in the best form domestically, however, and have failed to win any of their last three Ligue 1 encounters, with Sunday’s meeting against newly-promoted Angers ending in a disappointing 2-1 defeat to send them down to 15th place in the table.
Liberec, on the other hand, have enjoyed an impressive start to the new Czech First League season, despite losing 2-1 against high-flying Viktoria Plzen on Saturday. That defeat was the only one that they have suffered so far this campaign, leaving them in third place at the end of Round 8. They didn’t fare quite so well in their opening Europa League group stage clash, however, and were beaten 1-0 by Sporting Braga in a nervy clash at Stadion u Nisy, but they showed plenty of promise against the Portuguese side and, as a result, will be confident about their chances of picking up a positive result here in the south of France.
There’s just over 15 minutes left to go until until kick-off, so let’s have a look at how the two teams will be lining up this evening…
Michel has decided to make seven changes to the Marseille side that started the aforementioned defeat against Angers, with Mauricio Isla, Karim Rekik, Benjamin Mendy, Jacques Romao, Lucas Silva, Romain Alessandrini and Lucas Ocampos all coming into the squad to replace Javi Manquillo, Nicolas N’Koulou, Paolo De Ceglie, Andre Zambo Anguissa, Lassana Diarra, Abdelaziz Barrada and Bouna Sarr.
Meanwhile, Liberec boss Jindrich Trpisovsky has made two alterations to the side that featured against Viktoria Plzen last weekend, with Daniel Bartl and Marek Bakos making way for Dmitri Efremov and Michael Rabusic.
The two sides are making their way out onto the pitch, with just a few minutes to go until kick-off.
HALF-TIME: MARSEILLE 0-0 SLOVAN LIBEREC
Marseille have dominated the opening 45 minutes from start to finish, but despite seeing a lot of the ball they have found it incredibly difficult to find a way past Liberec's resolute and well-organised back line. The visitors have been under pressure throughout but have done well to frustrate the hosts, who started to look increasingly bereft of ideas as time went on. Both sides will have to make tactical changes if they are to find the back of the net after the break.
The two teams are making their way back out onto the pitch ahead of the start of the second half.
FULL-TIME: MARSEILLE 0-1 SLOVAN LIBEREC
What a win that is for Liberec! The Czech side never looked like scoring until the 84th minute, but one good opportunity on goal was all it took for them to break the hearts of the Marseille fans. No matter what they tried to do, the hosts just couldn't seem to find a way past the visitors' defence, who remained resolute and well-organised right until the very last whistle. As a result, it is they who return home with all three points.
My name is Ben Cullimore and it's been an absolute pleasure describing all of the action to you this evening. Until next time, goodbye!
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