After an encouraging victory over Strasbourg on the first day of the championship (4-0), OM lost successively to Monaco (2-0), to Paris FC (2-3) and to Rennes (1-0). A series of three defeats against direct competitors for Europe which says a lot about the real potential of Bruno Genesio’s team this season. All the more worrying as the Marseille club has a meeting with PSG next Sunday before the international break.
In view of the weakened squad of the Olympians – and the numerous deadlines to come since the Paixao and others will begin their continental campaign in the Europa League next week – the difficult exercise cannot be ruled out. And this is what worries a former figure of the club – Robert Pirès – who experienced a rare emotional lift with OM a little over 25 years ago.
At the end of a season marked by a UEFA Cup final and the status of vice-champion of France, in 1999, Marseille almost went down to the second division a year later. “ It’s a club that has difficulty finding stability but I knew it during the 1999-2000 season.breathes the former French international on the airwaves of RMC. The departure of Laurent Blanc shook up our team. We had a hard time getting over it. The proof: we won our relegation on a goal difference against Nancy. »
An expected revolt of OM players
That season, OM won only nine matches (out of 34), fighting to maintain their position until the end despite figures such as William Gallas, Ivan De La Pena, Peter Luccin, Stéphane Dalmat, Florian Maurice, Fabrizio Ravanelli, Christophe Dugarry and of course Robert Pirès in their squad. “ I do not wish the players or OM to experience what we experienced in 1999-2000 », insists the latter.
“ 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.concludes Robert Pirès, who will fly to Arsenal in the summer of 2000. 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 must look for it because whatever happens it is important. »
