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A controversial penalty five minutes from time denied Marseille their first win of the season against Ajaccio at the Stade Vélodrome on Saturday.
Following Marseille’s midweek Intertoto Cup heroics against Spanish club Deportivo La Coruna (5-1) Jean Fernandez’s side had yet another new look with both midweek signings Christian Gimenez and Lorik Cana making their debuts in a classic 4-4-2 formation.
Ajaccio Coach Rolland Courbis had opted for a five-man defence with Kabo Diawara operating as the lone striker as the visitors tried to nullify their hosts attacking potential and in a tentative opening 45 minutes neither side managed to dictate proceedings.
Marseille shot-stopper Cedric Carasso was on hand to make a spectacular full-length dive to his left to deny an Andre Luiz header before Rafik Saifi spared Stéphane Porato’s blushes with a goal-line clearance after Habib Beye’s intelligent front-post flick had left the Corsican ‘keeper stranded.
With their side stranded at second-from-bottom with just one-point from their opening four games the Vélodrome public’s patience is beginning to ware thin with their Jekyll and Hyde team.
However, just as Tuesday’s demolition of La Coruna was prompted by a stirring second-half display so to were Marseille fans treated to a more urgent, incisive and dominant side after the break.
Just 15 minutes in - and after a series of close shaves - it was Gimenez that finished off a flowing team move for his first goal in French football, heading in Taye Taiwo’s inch-perfect cross.
But the rallying call wasn’t sustained and Courbis threw on Brazilian attacking duo Edson de Faria and Lucas as the visitors looked to maintain their own unbeaten start to the 2005-06 season.
The game suddenly opened up and Carasso made another excellent save to deny Edson and preserve his side’s lead while at the other end Porato denied both Mamadou Niang and Wilson Oruma.
Marseille were made to pay for their inability to kill the game off when referee, Mr Malige, awarded a penalty to Ajaccio after he adjudged Demetrius Ferreira to have impeded Lucas in the area.
Saifi duly converted from the spot, drawing the sides level with just three minutes remaining.
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