OM is already in crisis. After winning its first Ligue 1 match against Strasbourg (4-0), the Marseille club suffered three defeats, against Monaco (2-0), Paris FC (3-2) and Rennes (1-0) on Friday. With only three points on the clock, Bruno Genesio’s men now occupy 12th place in the championship.
A situation which necessarily worries the club’s veterans. On the sidelines of a futsal match, Robert Pirès did not fail to react to OM’s current difficulties. “The season got off to a bad start with a transfer window with a lot of turbulence”recognized the 1998 world champion at the microphone of RMC Sportwhile Marseille let several executives leave this summer without registering a single recruit.
“It’s a club that maybe needs that positive or negative excitement. I wish the players to have a revolt. And if we have to look for a European place, we have to look for it because whatever happens, it’s important”continued the former Marseillais. A context which inevitably reminds him of his time at the club and in particular the 1999-2000 season.
“It’s a club that has difficulty finding stability but I knew it during the 1999-2000 season”remembers Pirès.
“The departure of Laurent Blanc has shaken up our team. We had a hard time getting over it. The proof: we won our relegation on a goal difference against Nancy”he says.
Robert Pirès fears the worst for OM
That season, OM, led successively by Rolland Courbis then Bernard Casoni, had won only nine matches, ten defeats and fifteen draws. The Marseillais finished in 15th place in Division 1, narrowly escaping relegation thanks to a better goal difference than Nancy. “I do not wish the players or OM to experience what we experienced in 1999-2000”warns Robert Pirès.
Despite this painful memory, the world champion retains a particular affection for the Marseille club. “I had a great time in Marseille. But when things are not going well, the supporters make it clear. It was hot, sometimes hot with them, but from the moment you play for this club, you know where you are going.”recognizes the one who wore the Marseille jersey for two seasons.
