Marseille Dominates Bayeux in Coupe de France Clash

On Sunday, Marseille advanced to the next round of the Coupe de France, delivering a decisive 9-0 victory over amateur side Bayeux. The standout performer was Mason Greenwood, the English forward who has been in exceptional form since joining the club, contributing three goals and an assist to thwart any hopes of an upset.

This emphatic win ensures that De Zerbi’s team secures a place in the round of 16 with remarkable ease. While Bayeux struggled to mount any significant challenge, the Italian manager will be pleased with his squad’s performance, particularly that of Greenwood, who has now netted seven goals in his last five matches, bringing his season total to an impressive 19 across all competitions.

The match commenced with an air of inevitability, resembling a training exercise. However, it required a moment of brilliance to break the deadlock. That moment was provided by Angel Gomes, another former Manchester United player, who opened the scoring in the 13th minute with a low shot that found its way past the Bayeux goalkeeper, easing any early tension and signaling the start of a long afternoon for the hosts.

Just three minutes later, Hamed Traore doubled the lead, effectively rendering the match uncompetitive before the 20-minute mark. With Bayeux struggling, Greenwood showcased his abilities. Following a rapid counter-attack, he received the ball on the right flank, cut inside onto his left foot, and struck a powerful shot to extend the lead to 3-0.

Amine Gouiri added a fourth goal shortly after the half-hour mark, ensuring that Marseille went into halftime with a comfortable advantage. The first half was marked by a swift 13-minute onslaught that stripped the Normandy-based team of any competitive dignity.

The second half provided a significant turning point for Greenwood, as he was given the captain’s armband amidst tactical changes. Continuing to assert his influence, he maintained his high level of intensity, netting his second goal just four minutes after the restart with a close-range finish to make it 5-0. Not one to rest on his laurels, Greenwood then turned provider, assisting Gouiri for his second goal and Marseille’s sixth.

The scoring did not stop there. CJ Egan-Riley, a former England Under-21 international, celebrated with his first goal for the club, marking a personal milestone. Late in the match, Neal Maupay, a former Premier League player, added to the misery of the already beleaguered hosts.

As the game neared its conclusion, with the score at 8-0, Greenwood capped off an extraordinary performance. With what was nearly the final kick of the match, he found space in the box once more and converted another close-range opportunity, completing his hat-trick and claiming the match ball.

In his post-match remarks, Greenwood showed respect for the opposing team, acknowledging the significance of the occasion for Bayeux. “It was easy for us, but they came in numbers today,” he stated, referring to the capacity crowd that gathered to support their local team against a formidable European opponent. “It was a big day for them, a dream to play against us, and we must congratulate them. Now, we have to focus on what comes next.”

With this stunning display, Marseille advances to the last 16, buoyed by a surge of confidence. For De Zerbi, the challenge will be to translate this level of ruthlessness into their league performance; however, with Greenwood in such formidable form, Les Phoceens will pose a challenge for anyone in the upcoming draw.