After the lap of honor, the team gathered for a photo on the pitch with every player and the assistant coaches.
The kind of celebration seen with Marseille last Sunday usually happens after winning a trophy, but there was no trophy to be seen. Marseille had simply won 3-2 against Lyon in a Ligue 1 match.
While the players stood with their arms raised, looking like champions, coach Roberto de Zerbi was missing. He celebrated with the fans but turned down an invitation from the players to join the photo with them. Marseille was still 10 points behind Paris Saint-Germain in the title race, not in European competitions, and out of the French Cup.
So, why were they so excited?
The celebrations seemed over the top, reminding some people of Arsenal’s team from ten years ago, when they were known for taking photos celebrating wins against big teams but not for winning major trophies.
“Of course, celebrate, but it’s nonsense, all of these team pictures in dressing rooms,” Premier League soccer expert Jamie Carragher said on Sky Sports. “Normally, you have them with a cup.”
At that time, online curating was just starting to grow, and now, ten years later, Marseille’s Instagram feed is full of photos from the Lyon match.
Was all of this excitement for just a regular Ligue 1 win?
It highlights how Marseille now focuses more on celebrating who they beat than what they win — a sharp contrast from their glory days in the late 1980s and early 1990s, which included winning France’s only Champions League title in 1993.
Since then, Marseille hasn’t won anything major, with their last trophy being the 2012 League Cup. Their last league title was in 2010. A year later, PSG was taken over by wealthy Qatari investors, and PSG has dominated French soccer ever since.
Just like star goalkeeper Petr Cech avoided taking part in Arsenal’s celebratory photos — as he had already won 13 trophies with Chelsea — De Zerbi might have been trying to send a message to his players not to get too carried away.
And it’s understandable, considering the team’s inconsistency. The Lyon win came after two losses and a draw.
Next, they face Angers, who are in 12th place, and anything less than a win would make such celebrations look ridiculous.
Champions League Efficiency to French Cup Disaster
Lille’s supporters will hope for a strong home win on Saturday against the bottom team, Le Havre, after their embarrassing French Cup loss to second-tier Dunkerque. Lille gave up an equalizer in the last moments of the match and lost in the penalty shootout, despite having a 2-0 lead.
This is the same Lille team that thrashed Feyenoord 6-1 to secure direct qualification for the Champions League knockout stage.
Rennes Needs Results After Big Spending
Rennes spent over 70 million euros ($73 million) during the winter transfer window, second only to Saudi Pro League team Al-Nassr and Manchester City. Currently, Rennes is in 15th place in Ligue 1 and struggling. The club’s third coach this season, Habib Beye, will take charge of their match against Saint-Etienne on Saturday.
