Marseille missed the chance to go ahead of Tottenham in Group D on Wednesday night as they fell to a 2-1 defeat to Frankfurt – and French media outlet Foot Mercato have criticised Arsenal star Nuno Tavares, giving him just 4.5/10.
Coming into the game, Group D continues to keep everyone guessing. All four teams are still in with a chance of qualifying for the knockout stages and after the fifth round of games, any of the four could still make it. Spurs drew.
Harry Kane’s last-minute winner was ruled out by VAR. The point shared by Spurs and Sporting sees Arsenal’s bitter rivals remain top of their group, Sporting in second. Frankfurt are on level points, while Marseille are a point behind.
Matteo Guendouzi cancelled out Daichi Kamada’s opener for Frankfurt. Marseille had the chances to win, boasting 11 shots and 57% possession. Alexis Sanchez saw a free-kick tipped over the bar. But it was Frankfurt who won the match.
Randal Kolo Muani’s first-half effort was enough to win the game. A missed opportunity for Marseille with Spurs drawing, but they all still have a chance. Tavares saw out the entire 90 minutes, but Foot Mercato criticised his efforts.
“More prominent than [Jonathan] Clauss. Good and bad. One of his crosses could have found a teammate, but for the intervention of a Frankfurt defender. Worked hard but was also wasteful during the game, especially technically.”
French media have criticised Arsenal star Tavares, gets 4.5/10
Joining Marseille on loan from Arsenal in the summer, 22-year-old Tavares got off to a wonderful start. He scored three goals in his first four Ligue 1 matches from left wing-back. But since then, his form has dipped in a Marseille shirt.
If the defender has any chance of breaking into Arsenal’s side when his loan at Marseille ends, he needs to improve. Much like last season, he is only showing glimpses. Those spells of form must turn consistent to shine for Mikel Arteta.
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