In Marseille, Igor Paixão found the finish he had been waiting for and then headed straight for Bruno Génésio. The Brazilian forward scored his first Ligue 1 goal of the season as Olympique de Marseille defeated Angers 5-2 on Sunday 18, bringing a recent touchline disagreement to a close.
A late goal and a public reconciliation
Paixão struck Marseille’s fifth goal after receiving the ball at the edge of the penalty area and finishing to complete the scoring. It was his first league goal after seven appearances, despite an encouraging pre-season campaign.
His celebration carried as much weight as the goal itself. The Amapá-born attacker ran to embrace Génésio, ending the tension that had followed the previous match.
- Paixão had left the pitch visibly frustrated in the prior game.
- He did not greet Génésio after being substituted on that occasion.
- After scoring against Angers, he sought out the coach in celebration.
Génésio’s decision rewarded
Génésio explained after the match that he had deliberately kept Paixão on the field until the final whistle, convinced that the forward would receive an opportunity to score.
The goal offers a timely lift after a season opening in which the Brazilian had been unable to translate his pre-season form into a Ligue 1 finish. He had also come close to a move to Sunderland, but the English club and Marseille did not reach an agreement.
European travel next for Marseille
Marseille now turn from the domestic win to continental duty. Their next fixture comes on Thursday 22, when Sturm await in the Europa League.
