Mason Greenwood’s journey in football has taken a new and promising direction since his move to Marseille, and his recent performance against Reims in Ligue 1 is a testament to that. Following in the illustrious footsteps of Dimitri Payet, Greenwood has quickly made a name for himself at the Stade Vélodrome, helping the club secure important points in the early stages of the season. In Marseille’s latest encounter, the former Manchester United forward was the hero, scoring a vital goal in the last 20 minutes to salvage a 2-2 draw after his team had found themselves trailing.
The Match: Marseille vs Reims
Marseille vs Reims on Sunday was a game of two distinct halves. The first half saw Marseille take the lead, much to the delight of their passionate home crowd. The early goal was a reflection of the team’s dominance in possession and their ability to create opportunities. However, despite their strong start, Marseille failed to capitalize further, allowing Reims to stay within striking distance.
The second half, however, brought a dramatic shift in momentum. Reims came out with renewed vigor, quickly overturning the deficit with two goals that stunned the home side. Within a short span of time, Marseille went from controlling the match to desperately chasing it, and the pressure mounted on coach Roberto De Zerbi to find a solution.
Greenwood’s Moment of Magic
With Marseille trailing 2-1 and time ticking away, De Zerbi turned to one of his summer signings, Mason Greenwood, to make an impact. The young forward, who joined Marseille after a turbulent end to his time at Manchester United, had already shown glimpses of his talent in previous matches.
In the 72nd minute, Mason Greenwood received the ball on the edge of the box, and with a quick touch to set himself up, he unleashed a powerful shot that flew past the Reims goalkeeper and into the back of the net. The goal not only brought Marseille level but also reignited the team’s hopes of securing all three points. While they couldn’t find a winner in the remaining minutes, Greenwood’s goal was enough to ensure that Marseille walked away with a crucial point.
Following in Payet’s Footsteps
Greenwood’s goal drew immediate comparisons to the influence Dimitri Payet had at Marseille during his time at the club. Payet, who became a fan favorite for his ability to score crucial goals and his flair on the ball, was often the player Marseille turned to in moments of need. Greenwood’s performance against Reims suggested that he could fill a similar role, providing the spark and quality in the final third that Marseille requires to challenge at the top of the table.
While Greenwood is still early in his Marseille career, the comparisons to Payet are not unfounded. Both players share a knack for finding the net in critical situations, and both have a natural ability to create something out of nothing. For Greenwood, this could be the start of a new chapter where he can establish himself as a key player for Marseille, much like Payet did.
A New Beginning for Greenwood
For Marseille, signing Greenwood was a gamble that is beginning to pay off. His ability to score goals and his versatility in the attacking third provide De Zerbi with valuable options as the team competes on multiple fronts this season. Greenwood’s goal against Reims was his second in the league, and if he continues on this trajectory, he could become a key figure in Marseille’s push for European qualification.
Also Read: