Last season, the Lyon part of the "Olimpico" was ruined by the throwing of a bottle on Dimitri Payet after a few seconds of play. Match stopped, penalty of one point against OL and game replayed behind closed doors several weeks later.

Lyon, clinched from the top places as they are again this year, had then beaten Jorge Sampaoli's Marseille 2-1 and had considerably complicated their life on the way to qualification in C1.

This could still be the case on Sunday, Marseille being a fragile runner-up of Paris SG, with only one point ahead of Lens and three over Monaco, two teams that face each other this Saturday at the Bollaert stadium.

"Of course, we would like them to draw and win in Lyon. But nothing is done yet, there are still many points to take. These are important matches, but not yet decisive, "relativized Friday the Marseille coach Igor Tudor.

Perceived rivalry

Alexandre Lacazette after scoring for Lyon against Nantes in Ligue 1 at Groupama Stadium on March 17, 2023 in Décines-Charpieu © OLIVIER CHASSIGNOLE / AFP/Archives

In front of the press, the Croatian technician also said that he had perceived that the rivalry between his team and that of Laurent Blanc was special. "I felt it this week when talking to the players. I like this kind of rivalry, which increases motivation. But you have to use it well and keep the focus on the game and what you want to do," he said.

While OM is going through an average period, the easy victory won last weekend against Troyes (3-1) has given it a little freshness and confidence. Above all, Marseille can rely on an impressive know-how away, where it remains on eight wins and a draw, 15 days ago in Lorient (0-0).

That evening, the Merlus had anesthetized the match and blocked OM by playing low and compact, without ever going on the attack, a method that Lyon will find difficult to imitate on Sunday, because he needs to impose himself and because it is not the philosophy of his coach.

"I hope I can dictate the pace, because sometimes with them it goes too fast for the opponent. They go fast, they are athletically very strong. But we can propose something else, "assured Laurent Blanc.

Marseille midfielder and captain Valentin Rongier during the L1 match against Toulouse at the Stadium on February 13, 2023 in Toulouse © Charly TRIBALLEAU / AFP/Archives

"I like to have possession but it's not the team that has possession that always wins. The match will be tough. OM's system of play is very difficult for the opponent," added the Lyon coach.

"No wildcard"

After a totally failed first half of the season under Peter Bosz, OL are still fragile anyway. Relations between the team and the fans also remain difficult, even if the stadium will be well filled on Sunday, including some 400 Marseillais, a first since 2017 in the league.

But, mine of nothing and cahin-caha, without ever totally convincing, OL de Blanc took points, as much as PSG and more than all the others on the return phase. And seven days before the term, here are the Lyon candidates for Europe, seventh five points from Lille and fifth qualifying place for the C4.

"Leaders of the return phase? It's a very good thing but the analysis of the season remains the same. Indeed, in the return matches we take a lot of points. It shows progress, but there are still matches. Unfortunately, we do not have a wild card. We have to take a lot of points after losing a lot, especially at home, "tempered Blanc.

Lyon midfielder Corentin Tolisso during the L1 match against Troyes at the Stade de l'Aube on February 4, 2023 in Troyes © JULIEN DE ROSA / AFP/Archives

With two teams that need points, two coaches with opposite styles but who recalled on Friday how much they respect each other, and class players like Alexis Sanchez or Alexandre Lacazette, Sunday's clash is in any case promising.

© 2023 AFP