Stéphane Burgatt (correspondent in Marseille), edited by Gauthier Delomez / Photo credits: Christophe SIMON / AFP
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11:06 p.m., February 22, 2024
Before the round of 16 second leg of the Europa League between Olympique Marseille and Shakhtar Donetsk, Marseille supporters are putting pressure on their club, currently in the midst of a crisis. This will be the first big test for Jean-Louis Gasset, the new coach of the Phocéens.
Perhaps the last chance match for OM who face the Ukrainians Shakhtar Donetsk this Thursday evening at the Vélodrome, in the round of 16 second leg of the Europa League (2-2 first leg). With their backs against the wall, the Marseillais seem to be in the midst of a crisis: they have not won a match against a professional club since the start of 2024.
“A few years ago, it would have already exploded”
The Phocéens have just welcomed their fourth coach since the start of the season. Jean-Louis Gasset arrived at the bedside of the Olympians to try to save what could still be saved. And above all, avoid the serious excesses of the year 2021 and the wild intrusion of disgruntled supporters into the training center. Europe 1 took the temperature in Marseille before the return match.
A police patrol was even called to secure the arrival of players for training. The signal is not lost on the supporters. “The national police are in the process of taking position. Of course, it can overflow,” agrees one of them. Tension has actually been rising in recent weeks. “The mentality is not there and that’s what we don’t like. It’s going up, it’s going up,” says another. “I think they are even lucky because a few years ago, it would have already exploded. We are still tolerating, but after a month, we will have to wake up,” continues this OM fan.