The long-awaited Classico ended in bitter disappointment for the supporters. This Sunday, October 27, at the end of the 9th day of Ligue 1, Olympique de Marseille suffered a heavy defeat against Paris Saint-Germain. At the end of the first half, PSG was already leading 3-0. A result which even went so far as to cause the hasty departure of certain supporters.
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Some enthusiasts spared no effort to be present at the Classico. This long-awaited match between OM and PSG this Sunday, October 27. This is the case of Romain Mainardis and Melvin Proix, two friends (one a supporter of OM, the other of PSG) who had undertaken a symbolic bet: to cover 800 km on foot, from the Parc des Princes to the Stade Vélodrome to be able to attend. Their march also aimed to bring the two camps together around a noble cause, the fight against cancer. But their annoyance could not wait until the final whistle, on October 27. Despite their enormous gamble, they left the Vélodrome before the end. They tell France 3 Provence-Alpes about their evening.
For Romain Mainardis, OM fan, the disappointment is still felt: “Frankly, I'm very disappointed because I traveled 800 km on foot to attend this match, I was expecting a spectacle. But at halftime it was already 3-0. OM simply stayed in the locker room.” He continues, “I'm 21 years old, I've never missed a match at the Vélodrome, but this time, they shamed us“. He adds, “It's been 13 years since we won against them, but losing in style… We weren't in it”.
And he's not the only one. This frustration was shared by many at the Vélodrome: “The content of the match was disappointing. We can lose, even take a 3-0, but what is regrettable is their lack of commitment. We always blame the referee, but it's everyone's fault: the coach and all the players. I did the job of supporting them, on the ground, they didn't do it.”
On the Parisian side, Melvin Proix savored the victory, but not without nuances. “I have always been calm, victory is the most important thing, but it was a little tarnished by the game. It upset the match”he confides. The end of the match was predictable from the first moments, he assures: “OM had a good start to the season though… But when there was the red card then the own goal, we knew, there were no more surprises”.
Romain Mainardis also talks about the bitterness that pushed him and many other supporters to leave the stadium well before the end of the match. “We left in the 75th minute, Melvin wanted to leave in the 50th minute, he wanted to sleep, it was boring for everyone“. Melvin Proix goes further: “I saw people leaving at the 30th minute. I think of the people who paid dearly. We spoke with an OM supporter who paid 600 euros for his place… For us, OM offered us the places…“
Despite everything, the OM fan is proud to have completed this symbolic walk with his friend: “The supporters clearly understood that we had done a walk for a great cause – the fight against cancer – so we received a lot of support for our cause.“. During this course, they launch a prize pool the entirety of which will be donated to the League Against Cancer, as part of Pink October month. “The People's March” raises a total of 3,000 euros.
The atmosphere was great, they want to emphasize. “The atmosphere was exceptional, I am proud of OM, my city's club, go OM!” He adds, “Unfortunately, the team does not deserve the supporters we have. At the stadium, people were singing until the end”. An observation affirmed by Melvin Proix, a PSG fan who especially remembers the welcome he received at the Vélodrome stadium: “I was apprehensive, but I was made to feel very welcome. You can imagine, I was the only Parisian in front of 70,000 people“. To prolong their joy, the two walkers even have the opportunity to meet the Marseille artist Soprano.
Although he lost his bet with Melvin Proix, his friend seems to accept his fate with humor: “We made a bet with Romain, the person who lost had to jump into the Old Port. In the afternoon he should taste salty water“, he sneers.