Sure of celebrating the 2nd place in the L1 with their supporters against Rennes, OM could, if they win and Bordeaux lose away to Caen, celebrate becoming French Champions at their own ground. Hope which is still allowed to remain alive.
Saturday at 21h00
Stade Vélodrome
Referee: Saïd Enjimi
Live multiplex on Canal+ and Orange Sport
An evening full of possibilities, this is what awaits OM and their supporters on Saturday at the Vélodrome. As if by magic, the emotion in the stadium could become incredibly intense. More intense than it has been for a number of years, but before that two things have to happen. Firstly, OM have to win against Rennes; secondly, Bordeaux need to lose away to Caen at the same time. The ideal scenario, and something that everyone is clinging to, with the hope to see OM crowned champions. «We are so close and so far at the same time , as Erik Gerets said, in any case, we are still fighting for the title and that is something that hasn’t happened for a long time. It’s a good thing, but only hope can save us now.»
OM squad
Goalkeepers
Mandanda, Riou
Defenders
Bonnart, Taiwo, Civelli, Hilton, Zubar, Mears
Midfielders
M'Bami, Cheyrou, Kaboré, Zenden, Ben Arfa
Forwards
Koné, Niang, Wiltord
Hopes are slim, but they could grow over the course of the evening. With ears glued to their radios, in front of the television multiplex or via internet, everyone will have a way of keeping up to speed with what is going on at the Michel d’Ornano stadium. The coach explains that he hasn’t organized anything personally, he will however have a great ally. «If we have the ball at the back and 60.000 people are screaming us on, it’s going to encourage us to score and it will not put any pressure on us , he judges, and if Bordeaux score in their match, it will hurt. That’s why it is extraordinary to play out a final match of the season in such circumstances.»
Each incident in Normandy will surely have a great impact in the stands at the Vélodrome. There are no worries there. However, at the risk of repeating ourselves, OM will firstly have to defeat a Rennes side looking to qualify for Europe. With this objective in mind, OM have prepared for the match with great serenity over the course of the week. «We are calm, states Erik Gerets, everyone is aware of the importance of this game. For the supporters, the city, the people. We all know that we have to do something exceptional. I’m sure that the players will fight to the final whistle in order to get a result.»
So much so that implication in training this week was total. Despite the glaring absences of the suspended Brandao, Cana and Valbuena, the OM coach had no problem in composing and even announcing early on in the week, the side that he had in mind.
Whatever happened, the OM players will participate in a very special evening. For one, they will be playing for the final time under the orders of Erik Gerets. «I’m not too emotional. I’m trying not to be, there is still a match to play, he confides, we are so focused on the match that there is no time for emotions that have nothing to do with the encounter.»
Assured of finishing second in the L1, he and his players have already achieved their objectives for the season and will celebrate with their public. At the same time they will be able to appreciate the final chants and applause which could become deafening depending on the events of the evening. A way of taking us back a few years.
Away match: the record number of goals scored in one match this season
Memories. The away match on the first day of the season at the Stade de la Route de Lorient, finished up with a record score of 4-4, after an epic match in which OM were, at one point, 3-1 up. Ben Arfa and Koné had grabbed the opportunity to score their first official goals for OM. Eight goals scored in one match remains, for the moment, the record for the season. "A sensational match. I got angry for the first time because we conceded a goal at the end through a slip up by one of my players, but this match was fantastic for the public " commented Erik Gerets during the week.
Will Savidan keep his promise?
Caen’s star striker, Steve Savidan, had promised it «We will allow OM to take the title by beating Bordeaux on the final day of the season ». To do so, Caen have to defeat the Girondins de Bordeaux. If Franck Dumas’s men did manage to win, they wouldn’t just be doing OM a good turn. They also have to win to ensure their survival in the L1.
Erik Gerets, the final match
The Belgian coach will take his place on the bench at the Stade Vélodrome for the final time this season, even if he generally tends to stand during matches. An experience in Marseille that will remain with him forever: «My time in Marseille has been to disturbing in my head and in my heart to be able to say a final farewell. It’s just not possible. There are some things that can change your life. After Istanbul, I just couldn’t see that happening to me a second time. Not only have aI experienced a great adventure, it has been a lot more beautiful than that.»
Guy Lacombe is still without Jimmy Briand (cruciate ligament) and Kader Mangane (suspended until the end of the season). This week also brought a lot of bad news for the Breton manager, he will also be without Gyan (thigh), Mika Pagis (knee), Bruno Cheyrou (Achilles tendon), Olivier Thomert and Lucien Aubey (psoas).
3or the number of points that OM will have to take from their match against Rennes at the Stade Vélodrome in order to keep their hopes of becoming Champions alive, on the condition that Bordeaux lose away to Caen.
… If we manage to win this difficult match against Rennes and Bordeaux slip up against Caen, then this match could become the most important of my career. In football, nothing is impossible. Bordeaux can beat Caen but they could also lose. "
