The Stade Pierre de Coubertin hadn’t seen so many supporters for an awful long time. Not since the centenary celebrations of AS Cannes in 2002, while the club was still in the National division?
11 500 spectators came this time around, not for a birthday celebration, but to see OM « live ». A public full of fans. Despite being so close to Monaco, the opponents of the day, the stands were full of blue and white. The cheers were for OM and the whistles for Monaco. And all eyes were on Baky Koné how was making his debut in an OM shirt. And the Ivory Coast player put on a show. Full of energy, he played as a fulcrum for his teammates and animated the Marseille attack. He was more than anything altruistic, playing in Niang perfectly who came up against a Flavio Roma in form in the 18th minute.
Things started out well for the former Nice player. Especially as in the second half he was more than responsible for the third OM goal. Playing out wide to Zenden, he then recuperated the ball, after Ruffier stopped the Dutchman’s shot, to better set up Cissé, at the back post. He was seen off in the 66th minute to great applause.
OM showed a lot of impressive play with Niang alone up front in the first half and Cissé in the second. With Ben Arfa orchestrating things up until the break then Grandin once everyone came back out from the dressing room, proving the offensive potential of the club.
When everything is up to speed, OM will be able to do honor to their motto.
At the back they know, also, that they have a great rampart in the shape of Mandanda. The goalkeeper pulled off a spectacular save after an effort from Diaz. While just in front of him, Hilton pulled off an outstanding tackle at the feet of Sagbo.
And it was recognized as one by the gathered supporters. The same supporters who jumped up when Zenden fired off an unstoppable effort which left Roma with no chance Roma, after the Monaco defence failed to clear a corner (1-0, 33rd).
It was just as crazy in the stands after the second OM goal. Cissé firing home a monster cross from Taiwo, once again building up his tally of goals in pre-season (2-0, 56th).
And he didn’t stop there, scoring the third goal with the help of Koné (64th). At 3-0, the singing just got louder and louder. The two side stands chanting in unison a chant that the Vélodrome would have been proud of.
It would be a euphemism to describe the reaction to Monaco’s goal as cold. Cufre did all he could to get past Bonnart and fire off a fantastic effort just underneath Mandanda’s crossbar. All he received for his efforts was the booing of the crowd.
The essentials were elsewhere. And they were in blue. When OM slowed things down just to cooly keep ahold of their lead you could hear the delight of the crowd. Leaving emotion to one sideEt au-, Eric Gerets was right to be happy, declaring : "We are following our plan. With each game we are better and better ".