Despite being a fan of arch-rival Paris Saint-Germain, hats down to the Olympique Marseille (“OM”) who after 18 long years has finally won the French Premier League again known locally as the “D1″ for division 1. 60,000 fans gathered in the famous “Vieux Port” of Marseille to celebrate their champions. This can only happen in Marseille where “l’oème” is the cement of the rich and the poor, the immigrants and the locals, the left and the right. It reminds me of clubs like Boca Juniors or Atletico Madrid.
World champion coach Didier Deschamps was key in building a very balanced and physical team, perhaps with not so much talent, but finishing very strongly after a hesitant start. Deschamps was also flexible enough to change his central defense after the mid-season, a move which proved to be decisive. Then there was also the excellent second half of Lucho Gonzalez who finished with the highest number of decisive passes. The question for all the white and blue fans now is what future in the next Champions League? Deschamps can sell some players and will benefit from the Champions League pot of money to buy some players at probably much more competitive prices than just 1 to 2 years ago. The key for Marseille is probably to find a great goal scorer.
Maracanazos are generous enough to celebrate arch-rivals.