Thauvin eyes France’s WC squad after scoring again for Marseille
paris — Winger Florian Thauvin continued his remarkable form as Marseille beat Bordeaux 1-0 in a scrappy French league match on Sunday to stay one point behind second-placed Monaco.
In the quest for a top-three finish and a Champions League place next season, Marseille gained valuable ground by moving six points ahead of fourth-placed Lyon — who earlier drew 2-2 at Lille.
“We’re sticking close to Monaco and that’s the most important thing,” Thauvin said.
Marseille will be increasingly confident for next Sunday’s trip to runaway leaders Paris Saint-Germain. The side’s new-found consistency owes much to Thauvin, who has emerged as the leader in attack from his habitual position wide on the right. He has scored spectacular goals by cutting inside on his left foot and unleashing curling shots from outside the penalty area.
This time it was a rare headed goal, as he showed great timing and athleticism to nod in midfielder Dimitri Payet’s corner from the left in the 35th minute.
“It’s not my specialty, especially from a corner,” Thauvin said. “But when you’re struggling to create chances, sometimes you have to find a way to score.”
Thauvin has 15 league goals — equaling his career-best tally from last season with 12 games to go — and a further 10 assists. He is staking a strong claim to be included in the France squad for the World Cup later this year.
Bordeaux coach Gus Poyet entered the game on a three-match winning run since taking charge. But Bordeaux rarely threatened and remain in eighth place.
To celebrate Chinese New Year, the names of Marseille’s players were written in Mandarin on the back of their shirts.
PSG beat Strasbourg 5-2 on Saturday and are 12 points clear of defending champion Monaco, who won 4-0 against Dijon on Friday. —