The National Times - Leverkusen Suffer First Europa League Defeat to Marseille

Bayer Leverkusen have suffered their first defeat in this season's Europa League, falling 1-0 to Olympique Marseille. The result ended the German club's impressive run of three consecutive wins and a 347-minute clean sheet streak, which was broken by Amine Gouiri's strike in the 77th minute.

The French side secured their first points in the competition with a performance that outclassed a Leverkusen team struggling to impose itself against a robust Marseille defense. The decisive moment arrived when Marseille launched a counter-attack. Gouiri received the ball on the left flank near the halfway line after Aleix Garcia allowed the pass to slip through. With significant space ahead of him and minimal pressure inside the penalty area, Gouiri curled a right-footed shot into the far right corner.

Marseille started the match with greater intensity. Just seven minutes in, Gouiri found himself unmarked in front of Leverkusen goalkeeper Mark Flekken, but the 33-year-old keeper made a crucial save to prevent an early deficit. Leverkusen appeared sluggish and committed several sloppy passes throughout the first half.

The home side's first significant attempt came in the 28th minute when Quansah headed a ball well over the crossbar. Leverkusen grew more dangerous shortly before halftime. A sharp pass from Maza found Hofmann, who laid it off to Gutierrez. The Spaniard's direct shot hit the crossbar. Moments later, Quansah dribbled into the penalty area but his effort was blocked for a corner.

After the restart, Leverkusen faced increased pressure. In the 48th minute, Quansah suffered a cut above his eye after being struck in the face by Garcia's elbow. Garcia subsequently received a yellow card for stepping on Victor Boniface's foot. Although Garcia delivered a precise free-kick into the box, Boniface failed to control it.

Marseille continued to threaten. A shot from Paixao went just wide of the post, and Gouiri tested Flekken again from a sharp angle. On his third attempt, the Marseille striker was successful, ending Leverkusen's unbeaten run in the tournament.

G.Waters--TNT