“Everywhere is our home”. This is the kind of reaction from Olympique de Marseille supporters that can be read on the various social networks, the day after the stunning victory against rivals Lyon (3-2). Not because OM has emerged victorious from two of its last three matches at the Parc OL, but more because Marseille supporters have once again shown their ability to mobilize all over France.
The images of Jonathan Rowe’s winning goal at the very end of added time (90 + 5) went viral on social media as dozens of Marseille supporters let out cries of joy, as well as relief, while everyone was expecting a cathedral silence after this enormous air conditioning.
Clashes over Marseille’s first goal
Images that were all the more surprising since the Rhône prefect had once again banned OM supporters from travelling to this match. Which ultimately didn’t stop Matis from buying a ticket for 75 euros to watch this match with another OM supporter friend, and two OL supporter friends.
And he quickly understood that they were not the only Marseille supporters present in Lyon on Sunday evening. “We were at the top, and we saw that we were not the only ones not to get up for Caleta Car’s first goal. And on Lirola’s equalizer, there was a lot of joy, there was a lot of celebration around us. Except that quickly some Lyon supporters wanted to take care of them, so we said to ourselves that we would calm down,” laughs Matis today.
“It completely exploded”
On OM’s second goal, scored by Ulisses Garcia, the friends first thought it was a goal by Jonathan Rowe, and focused more on criticizing the Marseille full-back than celebrating this improbable scenario. “You could feel that there was tension, people weren’t feeling well. Then there was relief on Cherki’s goal, but I really expected better than that. At the same time, some Lyon supporters had already started to leave…”, relates the OM supporter who came from Drôme.
His friend thinks of a new injustice after thinking he saw Cherki in an offside position, and the two friends rush to DAZN to find out for sure, before hearing the stadium “explode”. Jonathan Rowe has just scored a gem to give OM the victory. “On this goal, everyone forgot the scuffles after Caleta Car’s goal, and it completely exploded. Especially since there was a big group of Marseillais in a corner, they were celebrating like crazy. I didn’t think it would be to this extent. I’ve already come to see matches in Lyon several times, this is the first time I’ve seen so many Marseillais celebrating,” he confides.
Players welcomed at the airport despite the rain
An explosion of joy for the victory over one of OM’s main rivals, but especially for the completely crazy scenario of the match, and the injustices that Roberto De Zerbi’s men had to face. “It was a liberation because we were disgusted since Balerdi’s exclusion. You pay 75 euros for your ticket and the match is over after 5 minutes. We were dejected in the face of this big injustice, we say to ourselves that in fact until the end they want to put it on us. There you beat injustice, you win with your guts in a crazy scenario”, savors Matis. Even if there is no need for such a scenario to see Marseille supporters belch like that, ask Toulouse.
And the players did not forget to greet them, like Neal Maupay, in the mixed zone: “This match was not only for us but also for all the Marseille supporters and the whole city of Marseille. We would have liked them to be there, to celebrate this victory with us, but I am sure that we will see them in a few hours at the airport.”
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And indeed, there were several dozen of them braving torrents of rain at 2:30 in the morning to welcome their heroes under the lights of smoke bombs and songs of joy.
