How did the players fare in Middlesbrough’s pre-season victory over Marseille at the Riverside?


MIDDLESBROUGH (3-5-2):

8 Steffen: Made two or three hugely important saves and was quick to leave his line to snuff out any danger – already looks an important addition

6 Dijksteel: Held his position well against experienced Marseille attackers and made a couple of important tackles

7 Lenihan: Marshalled the Boro defence effectively and already looks like being one of Wilder’s key on-field lieutenants

6 Bola: Stuck to his task well when Marseille were threatening in the first half and used the ball effectively when he had it

7 Jones: Made his usual surges down the right flank and showed real energy and purpose as he won the ball back to open the scoring

8 CROOKS: Got into some excellent positions in and around the Marseille 18-yard box and was heavily involved in Tavernier’s goal

7 Howson: Outshone some illustrious opponents in the Marseille midfield and ensured the Boro defence was well protected

7 Tavernier: Played despite the mounting speculation linking him with Bournemouth and swept home an excellent second-half goal

7 Giles: Matched Jones for energy and effectiveness down the left-hand side – delivered a couple of excellent balls into the area

8 McGree: Looks well suited to the ‘number ten’ role – delivered the ball that helped set up Tavernier’s goal

5 Watmore: Ploughed a lonely furrow as the central striker, and while he’s a willing enough worker, Boro clearly need a more penetrative attacking threat


Subs:

6 Akpom (for Watmore, 62): Returned from the cold and put in a decent shift in the final half-hour

Smith (for Bola, 74)

(not used): Roberts (gk), Daniels (gk), Bilongo, Finch, Gibson, Coulson, Coburn, Boyd-Munce, Kavanagh.


MARSEILLE (3-5-2):

Lopez 5; Mbemba 5, Gigot 5 (Caleta-Car 46, 4), Toure 4; Under 5 (Amavi 62, 4), Gerson 5, Rongier 4, GUENDOUZI 7 (Elmaz 84), Kolasinac 6 (Clauss 62, 5); Payet 5 (Suarez 74), Milik 6 (Bakambu 46, 5).

Subs (not used): Ngapandouetnbu (gk), Blanco (gk), Balerdi, Dieng, Peres, de la Fuente, Gueye, Targhalline, Lirola, Ben Seghir, Mmadi.


Man Of The Match: MATT CROOKS – The Middlesbrough midfielder made a series of effective breaks to support those playing in front of him.