PLAYER RATINGS I Brest 2-0 Marseille: Ludovic Ajorque’s brace spoils Habib Beye’s Marseille debut
admin_news
Ligue 1 McDonald’s, Matchday 23, 20/02/2026
The match
For Olympique de Marseille, it was a match that ushered in a new era. Under the impetus of Habib Beye, appointed to the bench earlier this week, Les Phocéens took to the pitch at Stade Brestois with two objectives: to revive their momentum and close the gap on Olympique Lyonnais, currently third, whom they will host at the Vélodrome in next weekend’s heated Olimpico.
But in the pouring rain of this Breton evening, Brest were the first to strike. A quick-thinking Ludovic Ajorque took advantage of Marseille’s disorganized defense to beat Gerónimo Rulli, who was far from blameless. Shaken but not broken, the teammates of Pierre-Emile Højbjerg, captain for the evening, tried to get back on track. But nothing worked, and their possession of the ball ultimately failed to create any dangerous situations.
And as if that weren’t enough, it didn’t take long for Ajorque to score his second goal, once again beating Rulli with a perfectly placed header. Trailing 2-0, when a bigger lead would not have seemed undeserved for Brest, Les Olympiens returned to the locker room to try to take advantage of a much-needed 15-minute break. Upon returning from half-time, Beye, aware that he would have to change something to try to turn the tide, decided to replace Arthur Vermeeren with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
And the effects of this decision were quickly felt, with Marseille playing more incisively, but still lacking success against a united Brest side. A success that eluded them throughout the second half of the match, even though Mason Greenwood could have reduced the deficit with a penalty that was ultimately saved by Grégoire Coudert.
Marseille player ratings:
Gerónimo Rulli – 3
The Argentine confirmed his poor form of recent weeks, getting caught out for the first goal, lacking pace for the second, and failing to reassure his defense with some of his interventions.
Emerson Palmieri – 3
Benjamin Pavard – 2
Nayef Aguerd – 3
Timothy Weah – 3
Quinten Timber – 5
Pierre-Emile Højbjerg – 3
Chosen as captain by Habib Beye, the Dane had a difficult evening, losing several balls and important duels in the heart of the game.
Igor Paixão – 3
Arthur Vermeeren – 2
Mason Greenwood – 3
Although he tried to spark something, the Englishman had a difficult game, facing strong defense from Daouda Guindo. He could have reduced the deficit, but missed the penalty he had won himself.
Amine Gouiri – 2
Selected Brest player ratings:
Ludovic Ajorque – 8
Scoring his first brace of the season, the imposing Brest striker stood out as Olympique de Marseille’s nemesis, constantly getting the better of Phocaean defenders.
Brendan Chardonnet – 7
Daouda Guindo – 6
The left-back had a near-perfect game against Mason Greenwood, proving himself to be as important offensively as he was defensively. And even the penalty he conceded did not ultimately result in a goal for the opposition.
Kamory Doumbia – 6
