Jean-François Pérès, edited by Gauthier Delomez / Photo credits: CHRISTOPHE SIMON / AFP
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07:51, August 15, 2023
Olympique de Marseille has an appointment with its European destiny this Tuesday evening. The Marseillais face the Athenians of Panathinaikos at the Vélodrome stadium as part of the preliminary round return of the Champions League. A week after their defeat in the first leg, OM no longer have a choice if they want to play in the most prestigious of European cups.
It’s a quits or doubles match for Olympique de Marseille this Tuesday evening. The Marseillais receive the Greeks of Panathinaikos at the Vélodrome stadium for the preliminary round return of the Champions League, a week after their defeat in Athens (1-0) in the first leg. Victory is imperative for the Phocaeans who hope to play the most prestigious of European cups. What’s more, it is a fundamental economic objective for OM because any other result than qualifying for the play-offs would be a crushing blow.
Indeed since the beginning of the year, OM have invested nearly 100 million euros in the transfer market. Its workforce built by president Pablo Longoria is cut out for Europe with star Pierre-Emeric Aubameyang and a plethora of experienced or very promising players.
“You have to let go of the horses”, says Veretout
The Athenian faux pas last week was very badly experienced internally. Midfielder Jordan Veretout, also a French international, promises a reaction commensurate with the challenges. “It’s a very important game for our season,” he said at a press conference. “We want to qualify. Unfortunately, we didn’t do the job at home, it’s up to us to do it at home. We have to let go of the horses”, continues the footballer, confident: “We are able to do very good things. We’re going to win this game.”
In the official forum, we will bite our nails at the prospect of being demoted to the Europa League, much less profitable than the C1. OM could sit on several tens of millions of euros.
Everywhere else in the stadium, which is sold out with 65,000 spectators, it will already be the thrill of great evenings, that of cleaver matches. And Marseille adores it, all the more so on August 15, the feast of the patron saint of the city, the Blessed Virgin, the Good Mother, who will undoubtedly be more implored than ever.