The incidents were feared by sports and administrative institutions. In the end, there was very little question about it. Present en masse in the Marseille city, the police managed to avoid confrontation between Marseille and German “supporters”. At least until the stadium. It is around 11 a.m. on Tuesday morning when a first contingent of German sympathizers (around 200-300 individuals) arrives on Cours Honoré-d’Estiennes-d’Orves, adjoining the Old Port. Dressed for the vast majority of black t-shirts, the latter take a stand and chain beers in peace. The place is perfectly squared by the police, on the alert. Despite the presence of Olympian supporters around, the atmosphere is relatively relaxed at the start of the afternoon. Some establishments preferred to lower the curtain while others serve the last lunches to people seated.
A stone’s throw away, there are several hundred to take advantage of Place de la Joliette, in the 2nd arrondissement of Marseille. A DJ is present and ensures the musical show in a good-natured atmosphere which delight women, old people and young men. On the horizon, no “hooligan” is present and we are simply witnessing a gathering of supporters who have come to support their team. A few meters further, the traffic jams are numerous, the police responsible for prohibiting access to motorists.
For the Champions League match between OM and Eintracht Frankfurt, the authorities have planned a maximum security device which has generally held up. It is 4 p.m. when the city center comes alive. Grouped in a procession, German fans, surrounded by mobile forces, CRS vans and mounted police are preparing to join the Place de la Joliette. Despite a few throws of projectiles exchanged between “supporters” of the two clubs, calm quickly returned to rue de la République thanks to the intervention of the police.
Half an hour later, he arrives at his destination while the first bus rotations begin: the Frankfurt supporters are gradually transported to the Orange Vélodrome via RTM buses requisitioned for the occasion. “For the moment, it’s rather calm but we haven’t finished yet, the evening will be long”, slips a CRS in uniform.
Nazi salutes in the visitor parking lot
During this time, the surroundings of the Marseille setting are filled with a boiling atmosphere, reminiscent of certain scenes visible during the Classic or the Olympico. Firecrackers, smoke bombs and fireworks are lit on the René-Dufaure-de-Montmirail forecourt, also squared by the CRS. Two hours before kick-off, the first Eintracht Frankfurt fans enter the visitor parking lot of the Jean-Bouin stand.
Some CRS present use tear gas, detonations are heard repeatedly, smoke bombs are thrown between the North bend and the German parking lot and Nazi salutes are perceptible in the lower part of the area held by fans from across the Rhine. . The CRS intervene to calm the situation.
The rest of the Orange Vélodrome is filling up: more than 64,000 people are expected for the big return of the C1 to the Vélodrome, in its new configuration and with an audience. The atmosphere is worthy of great evenings: the songs are constant and intense, tifos in North and South bends have been planned. It’s time for the match… in a telluric atmosphere, which promises to be fiery following the course of the match.