Sunderland played a friendly match against Marseille to wrap off their preseason schedule.

Roberto De Zerbi’s Marseille team held Sunderland to a 2-2 draw as the team concluded its preseason campaign.

Dennis Cirkin and substitute Adil Aouchiche both scored goals as the Black Cats rallied twice to even the game. This is the game’s plot and salient elements from the viewpoint of Sunderland.

Regis Le Bris selected a formidable team, as was to be expected, and it will be difficult to see any adjustments for Cardiff City on Saturday. Of course, between now and then, a newcomer may force their way into consideration, but at this point, match fitness would be an issue.

After a near-accident scare in Blackpool, Aji Alese’s selection was encouraging. Alan Browne and Eliezer Mayenda were also picked. The one letdown was that, even though Ian Poveda traveled with the club, he was left out of the starting lineup since he arrived late in the preseason and is still getting fit.

SUNDERLAND COMPLETED ITS STALL

Sunderland responded to Marseille’s early play by pressing as hard as we had seen during the preseason under Regis Le Bris, which was to be expected given that Roberto De Zerbi’s team was playing out of the back. They positioned their midfield and forward line just above the Marseille defense from goal kicks, which produced some good early chances.

Jobe was put in a good position on the outside of the box by Roberts, who was quite active in the first half. Although it would have been preferable to attempt to slide Clarke in, Ruben Blanco easily stopped Jobe’s shot with his weaker foot. Roberts then positioned himself close inside the box for a nice shooting opportunity, but he shot over the bar.

Marseille also had their moments, with Kondogbia and Harit getting opportunities thanks to their risk-reward strategy. Early on, it was an end-to-end contest, and neither hit the objective.

Black cats are still making an impression, but one mistake costs them dearly.

Hume regained the ball 25 yards from goal and was harshly taken down to stifle any chance of a counterattack, but Roberts flashed a wonderful free shot just over the bar, demonstrating Sunderland’s continued enjoyment from their high press. Then Hume shot high and wide as Neil lunged forward to regain the ball in midfield and start a rapid break.

The Black Cats were almost leading the game, but when Neil lost the ball in midfield, Marseille quickly and accurately broke through with their pressure, picking them off. Patterson had no chance as they played the ball out to Moumbagna on the overlap, who finished calmly in the far corner.

Towards the conclusion of the half, both teams kept exchanging chances. Roberts got even closer after Neil’s brilliant midfield play put him in position to receive the ball on the outside of the box. The winger attempted to shoot by cutting inside, and although he did everything well, his shot went inches wide of the far post. Just as Moumbagna was about to round the goalie and double his tally, Patterson’s extended boot claimed the ball, leaving Sunderland in debt moments earlier.

Although they were behind and occasionally found themselves exposed by a strong Marseille team, Sunderland had demonstrated genuine potential in their overall performance.

A SOLID STARTUPS END PAYS OFF – PRIOR TO MARSEILLE HITTING BACK

With a little more skill in the closing third, Sunderland might have easily converted their good play into a goal. They started the second half pushing strongly. Neil got things started by doing a great job of evading his marker once more and locating Roberts in the area to the right. Dennis Cirkin was the first to rise above the goalie and tip beyond it after his cross was inch-perfect.

Unluckily, Browne’s attempt to extend Sunderland’s lead was deflected wide after Jobe did a great job of dodging his defender close to the byline. Then, from the outside of the box, Roberts curled a shot towards the far corner, but Blanco made a great stop, only allowing the goalkeeper to grab a tip of the ball and deflect it wide. The ball landed nicely for Cirkin from the next corner; just a little off-target pass prevented him from doubling his score.

Even though Sunderland was winning handily, they were again caught off guard when Trai Hume gave up control. Ismael Kone, a halftime replacement who recently signed from Watford, took the ball all the way into the box and curled a fantastic attempt beyond Patterson’s extended hand. Though totally against the flow of the game, it served as a reminder of the narrow margins in football.

THE PAYOFF OF SUNDERLAND’S PERSISTENCE

The Black Cats persisted in their attack, and when Jack Clarke’s deft agility created a shooting opportunity and his effort beat the goalie but cracked off the far post, they were only inches away from equalizing. With fewer than ten minutes remaining, Sunderland’s raft of replacements by Le Bris paid off, as they were tied with two superb reflex saves from Anthony Patterson to keep his team in the match.

A lofted cross from Hume found Nazariy Rusyn in a dangerous spot, where he beat the goalie to the ball and was called for a foul. Adil Aouchiche, a substitute, powerfully leveled the scores by sending the goalie the wrong way. Then Sunderland ought to have taken it, as replacement Hjelde met an unmarked cross at close range and headed right at the goalie.

A POWERFUL FINISH TO PRE-SEASON

On opening day, you never quite know what to anticipate, but this performance will send Sunderland confidently to South Wales. They performed admirably against a formidable foe, and most encouragingly for the supporters, they generated several opportunities and got bodies into the box all game long.

Sunderland XI: Patterson; Jobe (Aouchiche, 79), Clarke (Mundle, 72), Hume, O’Nien, Alese, Cirkin (Hjelde, 82); Neil, Browne (Rigg, 72); Mayenda (Rusyn, 79)

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