Online Reporter
Mugove Chigada-Deputy Sports Editor
WHEN Marshal Munetsi swapped Molineux for Stade Jean-Bouin more than a week ago, a loan deal from Premier League side Wolves to Ligue 1 side Paris FC, there was much at stake.
He is the kind of player who has never doubted himself, yet he found himself in a position where he needed to prove himself again.
And on Saturday, when the Zimbabwe international replaced Maxime Lopez at the beginning of the second half against Olympique Marseille in a 2-2 draw, he did just that.
He is the same player.
Paris manager Stéphane Gilli added credence to that in the post-match conference, saying there was no need to continue risking Lopez who was struggling for fitness when Marshal was available.
Paris had gone to the break 1-0 down, after Mason Greenwood gave OM the lead. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang added a second after the breather.
But Marshal, at his combative best and playing as a clear midfielder with room to support attack, was relentless.
He was brought down for the free-kick that resulted in their first goal before winning the penalty at the death to force a 2-2 draw.
“Maxime knew last week he had a little problem, so there you go . . . ,” said Gill, explaining the substitution of Lopez for Munetsi.
“We are not taking any risks. So there you have it, and today I’m fortunate to have quality in the group.”
Lopez can play both as a defensive midfielder or central attacking midfielder, a player regarded as “the fixer”.
Munetsi, described by his former manager at Wolves, Vitor Pereira, as a big engine and monster, was equal to the task.
And that he was hugely involved in the comeback as they threw everything but the kitchen sink will surprise few in Ligue 1, where he was once regarded as one of the best while at Stade de Reims.
Before Saturday, Munetsi had received two cameo appearances from the bench.
Chances are from now on, he could have a big say as Paris FC plots to move away from the murky waters.
His contributions against Marseille will speak loud. In the 52nd minute, Munetsi’s right-footed shot from outside the box was blocked as Paris showed real intent.
In the 78th minute, the Zimbabwe international won a free kick on the right wing.
And the following minute he was brought down again in the final third.
OM was unable to stand the pressure.
In the 82nd minute, from the resultant free-kick, Ikone’s header to the top right corner, assisted by Moustapha Mbow from the set piece, brought Paris back into the game.
At the death, Munetsi won the home side a penalty from Gerónimo Rulli’s foul in the penalty area. AIlan Kebbal converted.
Asked about the overall performance, manager Gill said: “I’m already satisfied with the first half because we played the way we want. We lacked the finishing touch which is the hardest thing in football.
“But then again at 2-0 against a very good Marseille side, there is a lot of quality. Yes, we are disappointed because we made a few mistakes.
“ . . . Not very happy, but happy for the group because we can see that it is a group because the substitutes are doing the job and are involved. So this is something that we really must emphasise.”
Marseille coach Roberto De Zerbi fumed after the game, saying lack of concentration towards the end gave the game away.
“I’m taking this badly, very badly. It’s difficult to explain,” he said. “The lights went out in the last 10 minutes.
“In order to win you need to be hungry, to show desire until the end. It’s a quality you need to have and I’ve told the players this.”
More than any other time, Munetsi will realise these are the battles that will define his future. And by the end of his loan deal, he would have written a new script. Everything else could just be smoke and mirrors.
