The Olympique de Marseille suffered a 2-1 defeat against Real Madrid in its first match of the Champions League, a result marked by a controversy over arbitration. Vinícius Júnior’s two goals were achieved following penalties in Real Madrid, the second of which was particularly indignant. Dimitri Payet, a former OM captain, strongly criticized the arbitral award, considering it an attempt by the arbitrator to compensate for a previous expulsion and that he had excessively consulted the VAR. This situation has awakened the continuing fears within football about the tendency of referees to seek to rebalance a meeting after major decisions.

OM’s defeat, despite its encouraging performance, was seen as a halt in their European journey. The Marseille players expressed their frustration with this scenario, stressing that the team had shown beautiful sequences of play, notably with Mason Greenwood’s goal. Roberto De Zerbi, OM coach, also raised questions about arbitration, although less categorically than his former player. This controversy fuelled an intense debate on the justice of the arbitral award, leaving a bitter taste for Marseille fans and players.

The Spanish press covered the game widely, highlighting OM’s performance and the strength of the Marseille collective. Observers such as Gutí and Anton Meana recognized the quality of the Olympian game, while stressing the superiority of Real Madrid, notably thanks to the decisive performance of Kylian Mbappé, the author of two transformed penalties. The press highlights OM’s ambitious project, with a team under construction and players able to compete with major European clubs. Despite the defeat, this trip to Madrid is seen as a source of experience and a strong message sent to Europe for the continuation of the Champions League.