Marseille Football Club: History and Achievements

Olympique de Marseille, commonly referred to as OM or simply Marseille, is a professional football club based in the southern French city of Marseille. Founded in 1899 by René Dufaure de Montmirail, a young sports enthusiast who gathered like-minded students from Lycée Saint-Joseph and local workers to create a multi-sport organization with football being its flagship activity (source).

In its early years, the team was composed mostly of amateurs who combined their passion for football with day jobs. It didn't take long for OM's potential to be recognized - they won their first regional title in 1903 in the South-East Championship and quickly gained prominence both regionally and nationally (source).

One of the most notable matches during this period took place on March 5th, 1934 when OM faced FC Sète in the Coupe de France final. Although they lost that game (2-1), it marked an important milestone for the club as they were now considered serious contenders within French football (source).

The late-'80s / early-'90s Era

Arguably one of Marseille's most successful periods occurred under manager Bernard Tapie between 1986 and 1994. During this time, OM not only dominated domestic competitions but also made waves internationally.

• Their crowning moment came when they became the first—and currently only—French team to win the UEFA Champions League in 1992/93, defeating AC Milan in a historic final (1-0) (source).
• During Tapie's tenure, OM won four consecutive Ligue 1 titles between 1988 and 1992.

One of the most memorable players from this era was striker Jean-Pierre Papin, who scored numerous goals for Marseille and even claimed the Ballon d'Or in 1991 (source).

The Rebirth: Late-2000s / Early-2010s Era

OM experienced another successful period under manager Didier Deschamps between 2009 and 2012.

• In his first season at the helm, Deschamps guided OM to their first Ligue 1 title since the '90s along with two Coupe de la Ligue trophies during his tenure.
• This success can be attributed to a talented squad composed of stars such as Mamadou Niang, Lucho González, André Ayew, and Stéphane Mbia.

Marseille's main rivals are Paris Saint-Germain; their matches—called "Le Classique"—represent one of French football's most heated derbies. The rivalry began in earnest during Bernard Tapie’s presidency when both clubs were vying for dominance within French football (source). Le Classique has been known for its exhilarating matches filled with drama on and off the pitch.

Another significant derby is against local rivals OGC Nice - dubbed "Derby de la Côte d’Azur." With both clubs situated along the Mediterranean coast, matches between them are hotly contested and often marked by tense atmospheres (source).

Marseille's home ground is the iconic Stade Vélodrome, located in the heart of Marseille. Its roots date back to 1937 when it was initially built as a multi-purpose stadium with cycling tracks surrounding the pitch—hence its name "Vélodrome"(source). The current capacity stands at around 67,000 spectators following extensive renovations in preparation for Euro 2016 (source).

The Stade Vélodrome has been known to provide a significant home advantage for OM - their passionate fans create an electrifying atmosphere that can intimidate opposing teams. One such example occurred during their Champions League-winning season (1992/93) when they defeated Club Brugge KV (3-0) amidst deafening roars from their supporters.

Olympique de Marseille boasts one of France's largest fan bases, which stretches beyond national borders thanks to significant expatriate communities worldwide. Notable supporter groups include:

• Commando Ultra '84: Established in 1984, this group is known for its passionate displays and choreographies during matches (source).
• South Winners: Founded in 1987, they have become another prominent voice within OM's fanbase (source).

Chants like "Allez l'OM" or "Aux Armes!" echo throughout Stade Vélodrome, creating a unique atmosphere at home games. Traditions such as the "Virage Sud" and "Virage Nord" (the stadium's iconic curves) are intrinsic to OM's identity.

1. Winning the UEFA Champions League (1992/93)
2. Clinching their first Ligue 1 title since the Tapie era under Didier Deschamps in 2009/10
3. Securing four consecutive Ligue 1 titles between 1988 and 1992
4. Jean-Pierre Papin winning the Ballon d'Or in 1991
5. The legendary victory over AC Milan during group stages of the Champions League (1990/91), dubbed "the Night of Bari"
6. Defeating Paris Saint-Germain in Le Classique at Parc des Princes (2010/11)
7. Reaching two consecutive UEFA Cup finals in 1998/99 and 1999/00 seasons.
8. Stade Vélodrome hosting matches during Euro '84, World Cup '98, and Euro '16
9. Didier Drogba powering Marseille to a second-place finish in Ligue-1(2003-04) before moving onto Chelsea for then-record fee. 10 .Josip Skoblar setting a new single-season goals record with his tally of
   \44 goals during the1970-71 season (source).

Olympique de Marseille has had a storied history filled with success, passion, and unforgettable moments both domestically and internationally that stands out among French clubs - proving its place as one of France's proudest football institutions.