Les Marseilles find a remedy for their Greek wound: Vitinha ensures a comeback on Ligue bow

It's been a tough week for Olympique de Marseille after they lost the first leg of their UEFA Champions League third qualifying round game against Panathinaikos in Athens. Next Wednesday, the Olympians will try to cancel out the Greeks' 1-0 lead and make a step towards the UCL, but in the meantime, they had to tackle the first Ligue 1 game of the season - and they succeeded despite an early setback.

The mood among the home fans at Stade Velodrome was tempered early on as Reims took the lead in the opening ten minutes. Marseille struggled to clear their lines effectively, allowing Marshall Munetsi to direct the ball across the box, where Junya Ito volleyed it into the bottom corner to stun the home crowd.

The brilliance of the Japan international's finish was soon overshadowed as Marseille responded stylishly. Azzedine Ounahi found the target, striking from 25 yards after being granted time on the ball. An engaging first half intensified further, as both teams had goals disallowed before the HT whistle.

After the break, the home team intensified their attacks, and although they had to be patient, their effort ultimately paid off. Ismaila Sarr, who came off the bench to make his Marseille debut, set up Vitinha to give the hosts their first lead of the match. The former Braga forward, who joined OM in January got his third goal for the 1993 Champions League winners.

Will Still's Reims sought a comeback, but the Marseille defence thwarted their attempts as their impressive unbeaten streak of 17 matches from the previous season ended in Provence. Marcelino's team might not have delivered an emphatic performance, but securing three points is what matters as they aspire to claim their first title since 2010.

Now they must improve again and prove their worth in another European battle.

LIGUE 1 - MATCHDAY 1

Friday

Nice - Lille 1-1 (1-0)

/Laborde 18 - Diakite 90+3/

Saturday

Olympique de Marseille - Reims 2-1 (1-1)

/Ounahi 23, Vitinha 73 - Ito 10/

22.00: (1.37) PSG (5.60) Lorient (8.50)

Sunday

14.00: (4.00) Brest (3.50) Lens (2.05)

16.00: (3.60) Clermont (3.50) Monaco (2.15)

16.00: (1.95) Montpellier (3.50) Le Havre (4.40)

16.00: (2.60) Nantes (3.35) Toulouse (2.90)

18.05: (1.45) Rennes (4.70) Metz (8.00)

21.45: (2.85) Strasbourg (3.50) Olympique Lyon (2.60)

***odds are subject to change