Marseille hold off Leverkusen to earn their first league-phase win

One goal changed the risk for both teams

Marseille became more selective after taking the lead. The visitors stopped sending too many players into the same attack and focused on keeping a stable line in front of their central defenders.

Leverkusen had more of the ball but often met several defenders between the pass and the goal. Alejandro Grimaldo’s work on the left and the runs through midfield created promising positions, yet the final touch did not produce an equaliser.

The crossbar kept Leverkusen behind

A strong effort from Aleix Garcia hit the bar and became the clearest sign that the home side was close to changing the match. Marseille survived that moment and reacted by reducing the space around the edge of the area.

The visitors also slowed the game when possible. Longer possessions and careful restarts interrupted Leverkusen’s rhythm and reduced the number of continuous attacks the German side could build.

Marseille finally turned a competitive display into points

The game was played on 5 November. Marseille’s first win of the league phase came from defensive concentration rather than a large number of chances, while Leverkusen suffered its first defeat in the competition.

For Marseille, the result restores practical hope before the remaining fixtures. Leverkusen can take encouragement from the pressure it created, but future matches will require a cleaner final pass and more variety against a compact block.