Vital Manchester City received the following press release from the organisers of the NextGen Series.
Tonight Manchester City, led by Andy Welsh, succumbed to their second straight defeat in the NextGen Series at the hands of Marseille at the Stadium Marcel Cerdan.
It is a setback for Welsh’s City side who were looking to close the gap on Group leaders FC Barcelona. The French team took the lead in the 24th minute after a neat finish from 18 year old Wesley Jobello. Man City came out for the second half looking much better and created several chances to draw level however Marseille weathered the onslaught and grabbed two goals on the counter attack through Najib Ammari and Florian Moulet late on to make it 3-0.
Man City will be desperate to pick up their first NextGen points in their next game against Scottish champions Celtic on the 17th of October whilst Marseille currently sit on 6 points after their first three fixtures three behind the FC Barcelona.
The full time scores, and scorers, for the game tonight:
Marseille 3
W Jobello 18
M Ammari 82
F Moulet 94
Manchester City 0
Ref: Romero Antonio
Manchester City’s first away fixture in NextGen Group ended in a 3-0 defeat at the hands of Olympique Marseille at the Stade Marcel Cerdan.
Didier Deschamps was in attendance to witness an impressive first half performance from Henri Stambouli’s proteges, but will have also been impressed by the tenacity and passion of the visitors.
The fixture gave a chance for City NextGen manager Andy Welsh to hand a debut to 15 year old Angus Gunn, replacing 19 year-old Norwegian Eirik Johansen, currently away in on international under-21 duty.
It didn’t take long for Gunn, son of former Norwich keeper Bryan, to make an impression, reacting well low to his right to palm a deflected Chris Gadi-N’Kiasala shot away for a corner.
The visitors struggled to find any rhythm, Gadi-N’Kiasala proving to be Olympique’s tormenter in chief, the 19 year-old’s intelligent running constantly finding space in between the City midfield and defence.
Marseille deservedly took the lead in the 18th minute, Wesley Jobello, meeting a Omaur Diop cross to lift the ball over Gunn.
But despite their superiority, Marseille failed to build on their lead, Jobello coming closest ten minutes before the break, heading a Gadi-N’Kiasala cross narrowly wide under pressure.
The first half finished as it began with Marseille on the attack, full-back Gael Andonian breaking impressively from deep but failing to find a team mate with low cross which was scrambled clear by the City back four.
City, stung by their lacklustre first half performance improved markedly after the break, Denis Suarez in particular proving why he is one of the most highly-rated talents in European football.
With Marseille suddenly struggling to match the improved tempo of the City midfield, it gave the young Spaniard a platform from which to orchestrate the City attack, but in a reverse of the first half, City struggled to turn possession into goals.
The hosts remained dangerous on the break, Gunn saving excellently from Jobello with his feet from point blank range, but debutant could little about L’OM’s second.
quick counter attack released Diop down the City left to cross for substitute Madjid Ammari to fire low past Gunn to give the hosts a two goal advantage.
Marseille added a third in injury time, Florian Mouet finding the bottom corner of the City net from 18-yards to give the fixture a flattering scoreline.
The result was harsh on a brave City side who improved immensely in the second-half and can feel unfortunate not to have left the Stade Marcel Cerdan with at least a point.
he result leaves City bottom of NextGen Group 1 on goal difference, with Marseille second in the group on six points, three behind leaders Barcelona.
Manchester City (4-4-1-1): A Gunn – L Coulson, E Plummer, K Rekik, C Meppen-Walter – J A Roman, P Clowes (sub: G Evans, 59), E Huws , A Henshall (sub: A Rubnak, 84′) – D Suarez – H Bunn (sub: J Hiwula, 84′)
Subs not used: T Halsall, D Cole, A Drury, G King
Bookings: D Suarez
Marseille (4-1-4-1): J Fabri – G Abergel, L Azouni, G Andonian – N Bangoura – C Gadi-N’Kiasala (sub: N Ammari, 59), O Diop, F Mouet, W Jobello (sub: J Ratsivoson, 78′) – B Omrani (sub: R Abdullah, 70′)
Subs not used: A Cesarion, K Pommier, G Enukize
Bookings: Abergel
Manager: Henri Stambouli
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