between frustration and hope, Marseille supporters are firmly awaiting the return match against Bergamo

The Marseillais, despite a draw, can still believe in a new European final. We still have to not miss the return leg in Bergamo.

Seeing the glass half full or half empty: difficult to decide after the draw (1-1) between Olympique de Marseille and Atalanta Bergamo, Thursday May 2, 2024, as part of the semi-finals of the League Europa. Even the Marseille locker room was divided at the end of the match, as in these words chosen by coach Jean-Louis Gasset: “There is a little bitter taste. We are aware of having played the right match against a good team. But we often say that matches are decided on details and I think that two or three details were in our favor.“

A crossbar, a goal disallowed for an offside position of a few centimeters, A missed opportunity by the attacker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyangalone facing the goalkeeper… “details” which could have serious consequences in the return match. But Argentine defender Leonardo Balerdi remains certain that OM can qualify in Bergamo: “We stay positive! A draw at home isn’t so bad. Today, we were superior and I think we’re going to do it there!“

“Europe is in our genes”

A curious mixture of pride and disappointment also in the stands of a boiling velodrome, but left unsatisfied. OM supporters were divided between frustration and hope, between pride and disappointment. And everyone had this feeling of having experienced a great European evening after a chaotic season. Nicolas is now more confident than ever: “We arrived, I think, a little on tiptoe, saying to ourselves that this team was unplayable, that they are coming off a great feat against Liverpool… And we are sluggish, we are in difficulty, we’re in trouble. We have plenty of players coming back from injury. We were thinking of getting eaten tonight. And then, in the end, we didn’t get eaten. And I firmly believe in it: OM will go to the final in Dublin and bring back the Europa League.”

Yes, but before the final, there is this trip to Bergamo. And when we remind the Marseillais that their team is particularly struggling away this season, the response is resolutely optimistic: “For us, Europe is in our genes. We had the opportunity to reach the final more than once. So obviously, in Bergamo, which does not have the experience, we will have to be wary and diligent like today, but with more lucidity in front of goal“, deciphers Chris.

Like him, Olympian supporters will only be a few hundred next Thursday in the stands of the small Bergamo stadium, hoping to come in the thousands, this time, on May 22 in Dublin for the final.