The Stade Velodrome was a cauldron of fury as Marseille collapsed in dramatic fashion, squandering a two-goal lead against Strasbourg to draw 2-2. The seismic shock of a 97th-minute penalty led to unprecedented scenes, with furious supporters attempting to storm the presidential suites in a clear sign of deep-seated unrest.
Key Points:
- Marseille conceded a 97th-minute penalty, blowing a 2-0 lead against Strasbourg to draw 2-2.
- Furious fans reacted by attempting to breach presidential suites at the Stade Velodrome, demanding accountability.
- This intense fan protest follows the recent dismissal of coach Roberto De Zerbi after a humiliating 5-0 loss to PSG.
- Mason Greenwood continued his stellar individual form, scoring Marseille's opener amidst the club's growing crisis.
Stade Velodrome Boils Over: The Unfolding Drama
What started as a promising evening quickly devolved into a nightmare for Marseille. Former Manchester United forward Mason Greenwood netted a crucial opener in the 14th minute, followed by Amine Gouiri's second goal early in the second half, seemingly putting Marseille in control. A vital home win looked secured.
However, a late collapse saw Strasbourg pull one back in the 73rd minute. The unthinkable then happened: a 97th-minute penalty was awarded, clinically dispatched by Joaquin Panichelli, snatching a point for the visitors and sending the Velodrome into an enraged frenzy. The final whistle was met with a chorus of boos and palpable anger from the stands.
Beyond the Pitch: Fans Demand Answers Amidst Club Crisis
The frustration wasn't confined to the stands for long. Reports from La Provence indicated that “tensions rose even further around the Stade Velodrome.” Chants and banners demanding the departure of the club's management quickly escalated into attempts by some supporters to enter the presidential suites.
Security measures were swiftly implemented, closing access to the Jean-Bouin stand as a precaution. While calm was eventually restored, the message to the Marseille hierarchy was unmistakable: supporters are beyond fed up with a perceived lack of direction and consistent underperformance on and off the field.
De Zerbi's Abrupt Exit: A Precursor to Chaos?
This latest outpouring of fan discontent isn't an isolated incident but rather the culmination of a turbulent period. Marseille currently sits fourth in the Ligue 1 table, a significant 12 points adrift of leaders Lens, operating under caretaker coach Jacques Abardonado. His appointment followed the dramatic dismissal of Roberto De Zerbi on February 11.
The former Brighton boss was unceremoniously relieved of his duties in the brutal aftermath of a 5-0 drubbing by bitter rivals Paris Saint-Germain in Le Classique. French reports indicated De Zerbi's relationship with his squad had become severely strained, making his position “untenable.” Late-night talks ultimately sealed his fate.
RMC Sport cited a close friend of De Zerbi stating the Italian “knew his time was up on the evening of the match in Paris.” He reportedly admitted to having “no answers” and struggling to “understand his team.” De Zerbi, known for his demanding nature, was reportedly “devastated” by his players’ attitude, particularly after their demoralising Champions League exit, which included a 3-0 defeat to Club Brugge.
Greenwood's Stellar Season Overshadowed by Turmoil
While the club navigates this profound crisis, individual brilliance shines through. Mason Greenwood is quietly enjoying another hugely productive season. Following his Golden Boot honours last term, the one-cap England international has already notched a career-best return of 23 goals this season.
It falls to players like Greenwood to try and steady the ship on the pitch. However, with more protests anticipated, the spotlight remains firmly on Marseille's boardroom. The team faces another test on Friday with a trip to Brest.
