Choc des Olympiques
Encyclopedia
The Choc des Olympiques (Clash of the Olympics) is the name of the football local derby
between two major teams in French football with "Olympique" in its names – Olympique Lyonnais
and Olympique de Marseille
. The French major football broadcaster Canal+ calls this game "Olympico" referring also to El Clasico
. It specifically refers to individual matches between the teams. Unlike Le Classique
, the rivalry has no bad blood within it and, instead, stems from the competitiveness of the each club's players, managers, supporters, and presidential hierarchy. The rivalry is often cited as being particularly important as both clubs are of high standard in French football and the championship is regularly decided between the two. Marseille and Lyon (along with Saint-Étienne) are the only French clubs to have won the French first division
four straight times with Marseille doing it on two occasions.
's acquisition of Olympique Lyonnais in 1986, the rivalry entered a more competitive environment. In 1989, Marseille began an impressive streak of five consecutive French league
titles, though the fifth and final title was stripped, due to the Bernard Tapie
scandal, which saw the club relegated to the second division
. Marseille also won the 1993 edition of the European Cup. One notable match during the streak was a 7–0 thrashing of Lyon by Marseille during the 1990–91 season.
Following Marseille's relegation to the second division and eventual return, Lyon got revenge during the 1996–97 season hammering Marseille 8–0 at the Stade de Gerland with all of their goals coming inside 55 minutes. The win, to this day, remains Lyon's biggest league victory. Lyon eventually began to ascend up the French football ladder and, at the start of the new millennium
, began a streak of seven consecutive French league titles, easily surpassing Marseille's streak of four. During Lyon's national record-breaking streak, Marseille finished runner-up only once, during the 2007–08 season.
Of the 90 matches contested, Marseille have scored 152 goals, while Lyon are 12 back having scored 140. Marseille's record for goals scored against Lyon is six and is held by Mamadou Niang
, who has been with Marseille since 2004 and, at one point, had scored in four straight Choc des Olympiques. Lyon's record is held by Sonny Anderson
who also attained six goals. He is followed by Sidney Govou
and Juninho Pernambucano
, who both scored five.
ian Abedi Pelé
, who won the African Footballer of the Year
award, defender Manuel Amoros
, and goalkeeper Pascal Olmeta
. All three players had been part of the Marseille dynasty that won five straight French league titles and the European Cup in 1993. Amoros is the only player in the rivalry's history to transfer from one club to another, then transfer back to the previous club. Amoros had played for Marseille from 1987–1993, then spent two years at Lyon, before returning to Marseille in 1995. Others who played for both clubs include Sonny Anderson
, who had one respectable season at Marseille and later joined Lyon becoming one of the club's most prominent players, Hatem Ben Arfa
, who developed into a prodigy
at Lyon before departing to Marseille under bad circumstances, and Florian Maurice
, who was one of Lyon's most influential players during the mid-1990s before leaving for the south coast having two solid seasons there.
Local derby
In many countries the term local derby, or simply just derby means a sporting fixture between two, generally local, rivals, particularly in association football...
between two major teams in French football with "Olympique" in its names – Olympique Lyonnais
Olympique Lyonnais
Olympique Lyonnais is a French association football club based in Lyon. They play in France's highest football division, Ligue 1. The club was formed as Lyon Olympique Universitaire in 1899, according to many supporters and sport historians, but was nationally established as a club in 1950. The...
and Olympique de Marseille
Olympique de Marseille
Olympique de Marseille is a French association football club based in Marseille. Founded in 1899, the club plays in Ligue 1 and have spent most of its history in the top tier of French football. Marseille have been French champions nine times and have won the Coupe de France a record ten times. In...
. The French major football broadcaster Canal+ calls this game "Olympico" referring also to El Clasico
El Clásico
El Clásico , also known as El derbi Español, is the name given in football to a match between Real Madrid and Barcelona. It is contested twice a year in the Spanish La Liga competition, and more often if the clubs meet in other competitions...
. It specifically refers to individual matches between the teams. Unlike Le Classique
Le Classique
Le Classique , also known as Derby de France, is a football match contested between French top-flight clubs Paris Saint-Germain and Olympique de Marseille. The term "Le Classique" is modeled on the El Clásico, contested between Real Madrid and Barcelona. These meetings became important during the...
, the rivalry has no bad blood within it and, instead, stems from the competitiveness of the each club's players, managers, supporters, and presidential hierarchy. The rivalry is often cited as being particularly important as both clubs are of high standard in French football and the championship is regularly decided between the two. Marseille and Lyon (along with Saint-Étienne) are the only French clubs to have won the French first division
Ligue 1
Ligue 1 , is the French professional league for association football clubs. It is the country's primary football competition and serves as the top division of the French football league system. Ligue 1 is one of two divisions making up the Ligue de Football Professionnel, the other being Ligue 2....
four straight times with Marseille doing it on two occasions.
History
The first meeting between the two sides was played on 23 September 1945 and ended in a 1–1 draw. Following Jean-Michel AulasJean-Michel Aulas
Jean-Michel Aulas is a French businessman. He is the founder and CEO of CEGID and serves as the owner and chairman of French football club Olympique Lyonnais whom he has owned since 1987. Aulas has also expanded his branch of football knowledge through Europe...
's acquisition of Olympique Lyonnais in 1986, the rivalry entered a more competitive environment. In 1989, Marseille began an impressive streak of five consecutive French league
Ligue 1
Ligue 1 , is the French professional league for association football clubs. It is the country's primary football competition and serves as the top division of the French football league system. Ligue 1 is one of two divisions making up the Ligue de Football Professionnel, the other being Ligue 2....
titles, though the fifth and final title was stripped, due to the Bernard Tapie
Bernard Tapie
Bernard Tapie is a French businessman, politician and occasional actor, singer, and TV host. He was Ministre de la Ville in the government of Pierre Bérégovoy, a businessman specializing in recovery for bankrupted companies, among which Adidas is the most famous ; and owner of sports teams...
scandal, which saw the club relegated to the second division
Ligue 2
Ligue 2 , formerly known as Division 2, is a French professional football league. The league serves as the second division of French football and is one of two divisions making up the Ligue de Football Professionnel , the other being Ligue 1, the country's top football division...
. Marseille also won the 1993 edition of the European Cup. One notable match during the streak was a 7–0 thrashing of Lyon by Marseille during the 1990–91 season.
Following Marseille's relegation to the second division and eventual return, Lyon got revenge during the 1996–97 season hammering Marseille 8–0 at the Stade de Gerland with all of their goals coming inside 55 minutes. The win, to this day, remains Lyon's biggest league victory. Lyon eventually began to ascend up the French football ladder and, at the start of the new millennium
Millennium
A millennium is a period of time equal to one thousand years —from the Latin phrase , thousand, and , year—often but not necessarily related numerically to a particular dating system....
, began a streak of seven consecutive French league titles, easily surpassing Marseille's streak of four. During Lyon's national record-breaking streak, Marseille finished runner-up only once, during the 2007–08 season.
Notable matches
- Marseille 7–0 Lyon (13 January 1991) – Marseille, who were in the infancy of their dynasty, controlled the entire match effectively dismantling Lyon, who were led by Raymond DomenechRaymond DomenechRaymond Domenech is a retired French footballer and the former manager of the France national team.-2006 World Cup:On 12 July 2004, Domenech was a surprise choice to succeed Jacques Santini after the country's disappointing exit from UEFA Euro 2004 by losing in the quarter-final match to the...
and were in their first season back in the first division.
- Lyon 8–0 Marseille (24 May 1997) – The final match day of the 1996–97 season. Lyon opened the match quickly scoring in the opening minute with Alain CavegliaAlain CavegliaAlain Caveglia is a retired French footballer who played as a striker.-Football career:A prolific goalscorer, Caveglia started at FC Gueugnon, making his first division debuts on 21 August 1990 with FC Sochaux-Montbéliard, against Stade Brestois 29.After two more seasons at Le Havre AC, he moved...
picking up the goal. Following Caveglia's goal, Lyon began a string of deadly attacks scoring 6 unanswered goals in a span of 27 minutes. The result was 7–0 heading into the half. The final goal was scored by Ludovic GiulyLudovic GiulyLudovic Giuly is a French footballer who plays for Monaco as an attacking midfielder and winger. He represented France at international level, gaining 17 caps over a five-year period, and was a member of their 2003 FIFA Confederations Cup winning squad.-Early career:After starting his career with...
in the 54th minute, which completed his hat trickHat TrickHat trick, hat-trick or hattrick may refer to:* hat-trick — in various sports, achieving three goals, wickets, etc. in a single match* Hattrick — online football management game** Hattrick Limited — producers of this game...
.
- Marseille 1–4 Lyon (22 October 2006) – Having endured a period of crisis in the early 2000s, Marseille had started recovering in 2002–03 to reintegrate the top half of the table. The club had began the 2006–07 campaign well with only one defeat in its opening 9 games, and was confident of a result against OL. With two evenly match sides on paper, few people expected the football lesson that would follow. Juninho curled in a free kick to give Lyon the lead after 20 minutes. Right at the beginning of the second half, youngster Karim BenzemaKarim BenzemaKarim Benzema is a French international footballer who currently plays for Real Madrid in the Spanish La Liga. He primarily plays as a striker whose influence can extend out to the wings and is known for his technical ability, powerful style of play, and vast goal-scoring ability...
, then 18 years of age, added a second. Habib BamogoHabib BamogoHabib Bamogo is a French-born Burkinabé professional footballer, currently playing for Panetolikos F.C. in Greece.-Career:...
did pull one back for the locals on 70 minutes but instead of spurring them on to search for an equalizer, it only ended up infuriating the visitors and giving them more determination to humiliate OM. Juninho netted another free kick on 78 minutes under a chorus of boos and catcalls descending from the stands. Kim KallstromKim KällströmKim Källström is a left-footed Swedish midfielder playing for the Swedish national team and Olympique Lyonnais.-Early career:Källström's first professional club in Sweden was BK Häcken from Gothenburg but his big breakthrough in Sweden came when he moved to Djurgårdens IF in 2002, where he won the...
rounded up things with a fourth goal three minutes from time. For the second time in three years, Lyon humiliated OM 4–1 at the Vélodrome; they had already achieved the same scoreline in November 2003.
- Marseille 2–1 Lyon (31 January 2007) – During the Round of 16 of the French Cup, Lyon scores first, with CrisCrisThis could refer to:*The Körös River in Hungary * Criş, Mureş, a village in Daneş Commune, Mureş County, Romania...
scoring at the 18th minute with a header after a free kick. Throughout the match, Marseille trails on the score without scoring, and the chances to qualify for the next round become smaller and smaller. However, 2 minutes before injury time, Mickaël PagisMickaël PagisMickaël Pagis is a retired French football striker.Pagis is 1.81 m tall and weighs 81 kg. His nickname is "Pagistral", based on his name, the French word "Magistral" , and also the name of a famous wind and writer in Marseille "Mistral"...
manages to score and Marseille comes back in the match. Two minutes later, in the first minute of the injury time, Mamadou NiangMamadou NiangMamadou Niang is a Senegalese footballer who plays as a forward for Qatar club Al Sadd in the Qatar National First Division. He has represented Senegal at international level, participating in the 2004, 2006, and 2008 African Cup of Nations. He wears the number 7 jersey...
received an airborne pass and scored another goal with a header, ultimately giving Marseille the win and the qualification. The fact of this match is Lyon is considered as specialists to score goals in the last minutes of the matches, to snatch the victory, and Marseille actually did the same thing against Lyon. Marseille will be finalists of the French Cup, ultimately losing the final against SochauxFC Sochaux-MontbéliardFootball Club Sochaux-Montbéliard is a French association football club based in the city of Montbéliard. The club was founded in 1928 and currently plays in Ligue 1, the top tier of French football. Sochaux plays its home matches at the Stade Auguste Bonal located within the city...
(2–2, 4–5 penalty shootout).
- Lyon 1–2 Marseille (11 November 2007) – Lyon came into this game having started the season quite well and being in the top five of the league. In the meantime, OM were struggling and in spite of a change in manager in September, found themselves fighting against relegation. Playing in front of their home crowd, Lyon were heavily fancied for a win and took the lead from a 7th minute Juninho PernambucanoJuninho PernambucanoAntônio Augusto Ribeiro Reis Jr. , commonly known as Juninho or Juninho Pernambucano, is a Brazilian footballer and dead-ball specialist, currently playing as a midfielder for Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A club CR Vasco da Gama. He is considered to be one of the greatest free kick takers of all time...
goal. Marseille soon fought back and Mamadou Niang equalized from the spot after 10 minutes. An entertaining game filled with goalmouth action ensued, with OM goalkeeper Steve MandandaSteve MandandaSteve Mandanda is a French international footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for French club Olympique de Marseille in Ligue 1. He currently serves as first-choice captain of Marseille...
denying Karim BenzemaKarim BenzemaKarim Benzema is a French international footballer who currently plays for Real Madrid in the Spanish La Liga. He primarily plays as a striker whose influence can extend out to the wings and is known for his technical ability, powerful style of play, and vast goal-scoring ability...
on several occasions. On 43 minutes, Niang scored again to give his side the lead. OL continued to dominate proceedings in the second half yet their opponents held on to their lead and left Lyon with a valuable victory, their first in a league game at Gerland since April 2004.
- Marseille 3–1 Lyon (6 April 2008) – Five months later, Eric Gerets had turned around Marseille's fortunes spectacularly, and the side was no longer languishing at the bottom of the table but fighting for a Champions League spot. They had lost just one of their last 11 league fixtures heading into this showdown. Meanwhile, Lyon had suffered a few setbacks between January to mid-February, and seen their lead over Bordeaux reduced. Spurred on by heated support from the stands, OM attacked their rivals from the start and scored twice through Mamadou NiangMamadou NiangMamadou Niang is a Senegalese footballer who plays as a forward for Qatar club Al Sadd in the Qatar National First Division. He has represented Senegal at international level, participating in the 2004, 2006, and 2008 African Cup of Nations. He wears the number 7 jersey...
and Djibril CisséDjibril CisséDjibril Aruun Cissé is a French international footballer who currently plays for Serie A club Lazio as a striker. He is noted particularly for his speed and acceleration. Since 2005, he has held the title of Lord of the Manor of Frodsham....
just before the half-hour mark. Lyon were outplayed and were lucky to head into half time trailing by just one goal, Lorik CanaLorik CanaLorik Cana is an Albanian footballer, who plays for Lazio as a defensive midfielder and the Albania national football team. He is the captain for Albania at international level...
having put past his own keeper to hand the Gônes a lifeline. Early in the second half, Niang bagged another goal to dispel any doubt about the game's issue. For the first time since the 1983–84 season, when both sides were playing in the second tier of French football, OM achieved a league double over their rivals, who had to endure a nervous ending to the season following this defeat.
- Lyon 0–0 Marseille (14 December 2008) – Though the match was dull and unwatchable, it was more notable due to the return of Hatem Ben ArfaHatem Ben ArfaHatem Ben Arfa is a French association football player who plays for English club Newcastle United in the Premier League. He plays as a winger, preferably on the left side, and an attacking midfielder...
to the Stade de Gerland. Ben Arfa had spent seven years at Olympique Lyonnais and was a part of four of the club's title runs before departing under questionable circumstances. Before the match, on 12 December, Ben Arfa had declared that Lyon were not a great team. As a result, he was heckled and insulted every time he touched the ball or came within inches of it. He was later substituted out in the 80th minute and was subject to a barrage of boos.
- Marseille 1–3 Lyon (17 May 2009) – The balance of power of French football was beginning to tip towards the south again, after years of Olympique Lyonnais dominance. For the first time in many years, OM were above OL before heading into a confrontation with their rivals. The club coached by Eric Gerets was top of the table and targeting their first French championship since 1992. However, Lyon were not ready to let their enemy claim the title without a fight, and were determined to dent OM's title challenge. Which is exactly what they did, inspired by Karim BenzemaKarim BenzemaKarim Benzema is a French international footballer who currently plays for Real Madrid in the Spanish La Liga. He primarily plays as a striker whose influence can extend out to the wings and is known for his technical ability, powerful style of play, and vast goal-scoring ability...
who bagged a brace before half-time. On 90 minutes Juninho scored a third after former Lyon player Sylvain WiltordSylvain WiltordSylvain Claude Wiltord is a French footballer who currently plays for FC Nantes. With the French national team, Wiltord has won Euro 2000 and reached the final of the 2006 FIFA World Cup....
had pulled one back for Marseille. This fixture produced Lyon's first win over Marseille since January 2007. L'OMOmOm is a sacred syllable of Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism.OM and similar may also refer to:-Music:* Om , a stoner metal band* Om , a 1965 album* OM , a 2006 album* Om...
suffered a serious setback in their title challenge and surrendered the initiative to their competitors Girondins de Bordeaux, who went on to win the league two weeks later. With 2.93 million viewers, this game has become the most watched in the history of Ligue 1.
- Lyon 5–5 Marseille (8 November 2009) – Entering the match, both clubs were coming off important UEFA Champions LeagueUEFA Champions LeagueThe UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
matches; Lyon, a 1–1 draw with LiverpoolLiverpool F.C.Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups...
and Marseille, a 6–1 beating of Zürich. Lyon needed a victory to regain first-place position in the league2009–10 Ligue 1The 2009–10 Ligue 1 season was the 72nd since its establishment. Bordeaux were the defending champions. The fixtures were announced on 5 June 2009, and play commenced on 8 August and ended on 15 May 2010. There were three promoted teams from Ligue 2, replacing the three teams that were relegated...
, while Marseille, who were struggling for form in domestic play needed a victory to maintain a respectable position in the table. The match opened quickly with Lyon's Miralem PjanićMiralem PjanicMiralem Pjanić is a Bosnian football player who plays for Italian club Roma in Serie A. He plays as an attacking midfielder and has been described as an "old-fashioned playmaker with huge technical qualities"....
scoring in the 3rd minute. The goal was cancelled out 8 minutes later following Marseille's Souleymane DiawaraSouleymane DiawaraSouleymane Diawara is a Senegalese footballer who plays as a central defender for Olympique Marseille and the Senegal national team.-Career:...
scoring off a header from a corner kick. Just three minutes later, Lyon re-took the lead through a left-footed blast from Sidney GovouSidney GovouSidney Rodrigue Noukpo Govou is a French international footballer of Beninese descent who currently plays for Évian Thonon Gaillard FC. Govou is a naturally attacking player but rarely plays as a striker, he is more commonly deployed as a winger. His main attribute is his pace...
, who scored following a miraculous run. Just before halftime, Marseille again drew the match following a strike from midfielderMidfielderA midfielder is an association football position. Some midfielders play a more defensive role, while others blur the boundaries between midfielders and forwards. The number of midfielders a team uses during a match may vary, depending on the team's formation and each individual player's role...
Benoît CheyrouBenoït CheyrouBenoît Cheyrou is a French football player who currently plays for Olympique de Marseille in Ligue 1. He plays as a central midfielder and often acts as a deep-lying playmaker for the attack. Cheyrou is known for his vision, distribution, and assists...
that Lyon goalkeeper Hugo LlorisHugo LlorisHugo Lloris is a French international footballer who currently plays as a goalkeeper for French club Olympique Lyonnais in Ligue 1. He is also a French international and is currently the first-choice goalkeeper and vice-captain for both club and country...
had a hard time handling. Within minutes into the second half, Marseille took the lead for the first time following a cross into the box. The cross missed the head of Mamadou NiangMamadou NiangMamadou Niang is a Senegalese footballer who plays as a forward for Qatar club Al Sadd in the Qatar National First Division. He has represented Senegal at international level, participating in the 2004, 2006, and 2008 African Cup of Nations. He wears the number 7 jersey...
and fell to Bakari KonéBakari KonéBakari Koné is an Ivorian football striker who plays for Qatar League side Lekhwiya.-Early career:Like many other Ivorian stars, he began his career at the famed youth academy at ASEC Mimosas, run by Frenchman Jean-Marc Guillou in his home country. Guillou recalls: "One day, when I was passing...
who poked it past Lloris. In the 74th minute, Marseille doubled their lead through Brandão. With ten minutes remaining, Lyon got a goal back from Lisandro LópezLisandro LópezLisandro López , sometimes known as Lisandro, is an Argentine footballer who plays for Olympique Lyonnais in France.Primarily a striker, he is also capable of playing on the wings....
, who got through Marseille's defense and cheekily chipped the ball over Steve MandandaSteve MandandaSteve Mandanda is a French international footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for French club Olympique de Marseille in Ligue 1. He currently serves as first-choice captain of Marseille...
. Four minutes later, Lyon were awarded a penaltyPenalty kickA penalty kick is a type of direct free kick in association football, taken from twelve yards out from goal and with only the goalkeeper of the defending team between the penalty taker and the goal.Penalty kicks are performed during normal play...
by referee Stéphane BréStéphane BréStéphane Bré is a French football referee. He has refereed in the French Football Federation since 1992 and has been a FIFA-referee since 1998. He has officiated the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney.-References:*...
following a handball in the box by Gabriel HeinzeGabriel HeinzeGabriel Iván Heinze is an Argentine footballer who plays for A.S. Roma in Italy. Mainly a left back, he can also operate as a central defender....
. The penalty was converted by Lisandro and was thought to have salvaged a draw for Lyon heading into injury time. However, in injury time, Lyon, unbelievably, took the lead following combination play between Lisandro, Pjanić, and Michel BastosMichel Fernandes BastosMichel Fernandes Bastos is a Brazilian footballer. He currently plays for Olympique Lyonnais in Ligue 1. He primarily plays as a winger capable of playing on either side of the field, but plays as a left back for the Brazil national team...
, with Bastos ultimately getting the goal. With Lyon two minutes away from victory, their chances were ruined following a throw in that resulted in a goal for Marseille to draw the match at 5–5, which was the final result. The goal was initially given to Stéphane MbiaStéphane MbiaStéphane Mbia Etoundi is a Cameroonian football player who plays for French League 1 club Olympique Marseille.-Career:...
, but was later rescinded and credited as an own goalOwn goalAn own net occurs in goal-scoring games when a player scores a goal that is registered against his or her own team. It is usually accidental, and may be a result of an attempt at defensive play that failed or was spoiled by opponents....
by Jérémy ToulalanJérémy ToulalanJérémy Toulalan is a French footballer who currently plays for Málaga CF in La Liga. His usual position is as a defensive midfielder, but he can also be utilized as a central defender. He is best known for his shy and humble demeanor, simple distribution, good technique, and effective...
. The match has been discussed as being one of the greatest matches in French football history and one of the best matches of the football season2009 in association football- General :*Major League Soccer expands to 15 teams with the launch of Seattle Sounders FC.*Women's Professional Soccer, the successor to the defunct Women's United Soccer Association in the USA, launched in March with 7 teams....
.
- Lyon 3–2 Marseille (8 May 2011) – The circumstances were more or less the same than 2 years before. Once again OL were out of the title race while Marseille were competing with another team to win the league. Both teams began the game well. Loic RemyLoïc RémyLoïc Rémy is a French international footballer who plays for French club Marseille in Ligue 1. Rémy primarily plays in the lead striker role, but also operates on the wings and as a second striker...
thought he had given his side the lead against his hometown club, but his early strike was disallowed for a dubious offside ruling. After 25 minutes, Lisandro LopezLisandro LópezLisandro López , sometimes known as Lisandro, is an Argentine footballer who plays for Olympique Lyonnais in France.Primarily a striker, he is also capable of playing on the wings....
took the ball on the left wing, made a run towards goal and skipped inside. Souleymane DiawaraSouleymane DiawaraSouleymane Diawara is a Senegalese footballer who plays as a central defender for Olympique Marseille and the Senegal national team.-Career:...
attempted to block his way and conceded a penalty, which the Argentine himself took, and scored. On 69 minutes, with OM pushing forward in search of an equalizer, Lyon scored a second goal on the break. Cesar DelgadoCésar DelgadoCésar Fabián Delgado Godoy is an Argentine footballer. He plays for Monterrey. His nickname "El Chelito" is derived from that of Marcelo Delgado because of their same last name.-Career:...
went on a mazy run and with an inspired dummy, sent two Marseille defenders crashing onto the ground. He finished the move superbly with a left-footed shot. Just when Lyon looked like they had weathered the storm, their poor defending handed their opponent a lifeline which was grabbed by Lucho Gonzalez on 70 minutes. As was often the case during Claude PuelClaude PuelClaude Puel is a French football manager and former player. He spent 17 years playing for AS Monaco.-Managerial career:...
's spell at the helm, Lyon proved unable to defend a lead against an opponent that took the game to them. Some further shambolic defending on a corner kick allowed Loic Remy to equalize with 12 minutes to go; he was unmarked at the far post. Suddenly, Lyon, who had a two-goal advantage ten minutes earlier, were looking the more vulnerable of the two sides. In a spectacular ending to the game, both Lyon and Marseille threw caution to the wind. It was OL defender CrisCrisThis could refer to:*The Körös River in Hungary * Criş, Mureş, a village in Daneş Commune, Mureş County, Romania...
who scored a dramatic winner 6 minutes from time, with a sweet volley. As in 2009, Lyon underachieved in Ligue 1 but experienced the pleasure of denting Marseille's title challenge. Lille OSCLille OSCLOSC Lille Métropole is a French association football club based in Lille. The club was founded in 1944 as a result of a merger and currently play in Ligue 1, the first division of French football. Lille plays its home matches at the Stade Lille-Metropole in nearby Villeneuve-d'Ascq. In 2012, the...
won the league a few weeks later.
Statistics and records
As of 8 May 2011, there have been 90 competitive league meetings between the two teams since its first league meeting. Marseille do hold the advantage in the league having won 29 matches to Lyon's 27. The most goals in one game were scored in the closely contested 5–5 draw at the Stade de Gerland on 8 November 2009. The biggest winning margin was an 8–0 home win by Lyon on 24 May 1997. Seven years earlier, Marseille defeated Lyon 7–0.Of the 90 matches contested, Marseille have scored 152 goals, while Lyon are 12 back having scored 140. Marseille's record for goals scored against Lyon is six and is held by Mamadou Niang
Mamadou Niang
Mamadou Niang is a Senegalese footballer who plays as a forward for Qatar club Al Sadd in the Qatar National First Division. He has represented Senegal at international level, participating in the 2004, 2006, and 2008 African Cup of Nations. He wears the number 7 jersey...
, who has been with Marseille since 2004 and, at one point, had scored in four straight Choc des Olympiques. Lyon's record is held by Sonny Anderson
Sonny Anderson
Anderson da Silva Nilmar , known as Sonny or Anderson, is a retired Brazilian footballer who played as a striker....
who also attained six goals. He is followed by Sidney Govou
Sidney Govou
Sidney Rodrigue Noukpo Govou is a French international footballer of Beninese descent who currently plays for Évian Thonon Gaillard FC. Govou is a naturally attacking player but rarely plays as a striker, he is more commonly deployed as a winger. His main attribute is his pace...
and Juninho Pernambucano
Juninho Pernambucano
Antônio Augusto Ribeiro Reis Jr. , commonly known as Juninho or Juninho Pernambucano, is a Brazilian footballer and dead-ball specialist, currently playing as a midfielder for Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A club CR Vasco da Gama. He is considered to be one of the greatest free kick takers of all time...
, who both scored five.
Summary of results
As of 8 May 2011| Lyon wins | Draws | Marseille wins | Lyon goals | Marseille goals | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| League | 28 | 33 | 29 | 140 | 152 |
| Coupe de France | 3 | 1 | 5 | 11 | 13 |
| Coupe de la Ligue | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Trophée des champions | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 31 | 34 | 34 | 151 | 165 |
Crossing the Olympics
Due to the club's ongoing rivalry, few players have played for both Lyon and Marseille. Notable players include the GhanaGhana
Ghana , officially the Republic of Ghana, is a country located in West Africa. It is bordered by Côte d'Ivoire to the west, Burkina Faso to the north, Togo to the east, and the Gulf of Guinea to the south...
ian Abedi Pelé
Abédi Pelé
Abedi Ayew, known professionally as Abedi Pele is a former Ghana International football player and captain. Having been given the nickname "Pelé" in recognition of his superior ability that evoked comparisons to Brazilian great Pelé, he found fame in France's Ligue 1 with Lille OSC and Olympique...
, who won the African Footballer of the Year
African Footballer of the Year
The African Footballer of the Year award, presented to the best African football player each year, has been conferred by the Confederation of African Football since 1992. An earlier African Footballer of the Year Golden Ball award was given out between 1970 and 1994 by France Football magazine...
award, defender Manuel Amoros
Manuel Amoros
Manuel Amoros is a retired football defender from France with Valencian ancestry. He was capped 82 times for the France national football team, and played in the Euro Cup finals of 1984 and 1992, and the World Cup finals in 1982 and 1986.Amoros played most of his career for AS Monaco in the...
, and goalkeeper Pascal Olmeta
Pascal Olmeta
Pascal Olmeta is a French football goalkeeper who played for Olympique de Marseille and Olympique Lyonnais in the 1990s....
. All three players had been part of the Marseille dynasty that won five straight French league titles and the European Cup in 1993. Amoros is the only player in the rivalry's history to transfer from one club to another, then transfer back to the previous club. Amoros had played for Marseille from 1987–1993, then spent two years at Lyon, before returning to Marseille in 1995. Others who played for both clubs include Sonny Anderson
Sonny Anderson
Anderson da Silva Nilmar , known as Sonny or Anderson, is a retired Brazilian footballer who played as a striker....
, who had one respectable season at Marseille and later joined Lyon becoming one of the club's most prominent players, Hatem Ben Arfa
Hatem Ben Arfa
Hatem Ben Arfa is a French association football player who plays for English club Newcastle United in the Premier League. He plays as a winger, preferably on the left side, and an attacking midfielder...
, who developed into a prodigy
Child prodigy
A child prodigy is someone who, at an early age, masters one or more skills far beyond his or her level of maturity. One criterion for classifying prodigies is: a prodigy is a child, typically younger than 18 years old, who is performing at the level of a highly trained adult in a very demanding...
at Lyon before departing to Marseille under bad circumstances, and Florian Maurice
Florian Maurice
Florian Maurice is a French retired footballer. He played as a striker, and most notably won the 1998 Coupe de France and Coupe de la Ligue with French team Paris Saint-Germain...
, who was one of Lyon's most influential players during the mid-1990s before leaving for the south coast having two solid seasons there.
OM, then OL
| Name | Pos | Marseille | Lyon | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Career | Apps | Goals | Career | Apps | Goals | ||
 Benoît PedrettiBenoît Pedretti Benoît Pedretti is a French association football midfielder playing for Lille. He is a deep lying playmaker well known for his wide range of passing.... |
MF | 2004–05 | 31 | 3 | 2005–06 | 36 | 2 |
| Reynald Pedros Reynald Pedros Reynald Pedros is a retired French footballer of Portuguese descent.- Career :Pedros is a left-footed attacking midfielder, formed in Nantes. He was part of the magic trio of FC Nantes with Patrice Loko and Nicolas Ouédec... |
MF | 1996–99 | 21 | 1 | 1997–98 | 15 | 2 |
 Sonny AndersonSonny Anderson Anderson da Silva Nilmar , known as Sonny or Anderson, is a retired Brazilian footballer who played as a striker.... |
FW | 1993–94 | 24 | 16 | 1999–03 | 154 | 91 |
| Pascal Olmeta Pascal Olmeta Pascal Olmeta is a French football goalkeeper who played for Olympique de Marseille and Olympique Lyonnais in the 1990s.... |
GK | 1990–93 | 84 | 0 | 1993–96 | 131 | 0 |
| Manuel Amoros Manuel Amoros Manuel Amoros is a retired football defender from France with Valencian ancestry. He was capped 82 times for the France national football team, and played in the Euro Cup finals of 1984 and 1992, and the World Cup finals in 1982 and 1986.Amoros played most of his career for AS Monaco in the... |
DF | 1989–93 | 102 | 2 | 1993–95 | 68 | 3 |
 Abedi PeléAbédi Pelé Abedi Ayew, known professionally as Abedi Pele is a former Ghana International football player and captain. Having been given the nickname "Pelé" in recognition of his superior ability that evoked comparisons to Brazilian great Pelé, he found fame in France's Ligue 1 with Lille OSC and Olympique... |
MF | 1987–93 | 111 | 23 | 1993–94 | 29 | 3 |
 Ali BouafiaAli Bouafia Ali Bouafia is a Franco-Algerian retired football player.-External links:* *... |
MF | 1987–88 | — | — | 1988–92 | — | — |
| Albert Emon Albert Emon Albert Emon is French football manager.-Career:As a player he won the Ligue 1 with Olympique Marseille in 1972 and the Coupe de France in 1980 with AS Monaco. Emon also played for Stade de Reims and Olympique Lyonnais.... |
FW | 1968–77 | 137 | 33 | 1981–86 | 60 | 17 |
OL, then OM
| Name | Pos | Lyon | Marseille | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Career | Apps | Goals | Career | Apps | Goals | ||
| Hatem Ben Arfa Hatem Ben Arfa Hatem Ben Arfa is a French association football player who plays for English club Newcastle United in the Premier League. He plays as a winger, preferably on the left side, and an attacking midfielder... |
MF | 2004–08 | 92 | 12 | 2008– | 58 | 8 |
| Sylvain Wiltord Sylvain Wiltord Sylvain Claude Wiltord is a French footballer who currently plays for FC Nantes. With the French national team, Wiltord has won Euro 2000 and reached the final of the 2006 FIFA World Cup.... |
FW | 2004–07 | 114 | 32 | 2009 | 15 | 2 |
| Péguy Luyindula Péguy Luyindula Péguy Luyindula in Kinshasa is a French football striker. He currently plays for Paris Saint-Germain, in the French League.-Early career:... |
FW | 2001–04 | 126 | 46 | 2004–05 | 42 | 10 |
| Steve Marlet Steve Marlet Steve Marlet is a French footballer who is currently playing for amateur club CM Aubervilliers. The forward was capped 23 times and scored six goals for the French national team.... |
FW | 2000–01 | 49 | 18 | 2003–05 | 64 | 17 |
| Florian Maurice Florian Maurice Florian Maurice is a French retired footballer. He played as a striker, and most notably won the 1998 Coupe de France and Coupe de la Ligue with French team Paris Saint-Germain... |
FW | 1991–97 | 126 | 44 | 1998–01 | 62 | 23 |
| Manuel Amoros Manuel Amoros Manuel Amoros is a retired football defender from France with Valencian ancestry. He was capped 82 times for the France national football team, and played in the Euro Cup finals of 1984 and 1992, and the World Cup finals in 1982 and 1986.Amoros played most of his career for AS Monaco in the... |
DF | 1993–95 | 66 | 3 | 1995–96 | 16 | 0 |
| Daniel Bravo Daniel Bravo Daniel Bravo Daniel Bravo Daniel Bravo (born 9 February 1963 in Toulouse is a former French international football player.-Career:On 24 July 1980, he made his debut for Nice at 17 years of age in a game against Metz in the French Championship D1. Despite the relegation of Nice to D2 in 1982, he was... |
MF | 1997–98 | 14 | 4 | 1998–99 | 21 | 1 |
| Eric Roy Eric Roy Eric Wilbur Roy is a New Zealand politician. He is a National Party Member of Parliament , being first elected in 1993.-Early years:... |
MF | 1993–96 | 111 | 9 | 1996–99 | 87 | 10 |
| Bruno N'Gotty Bruno N'Gotty Bruno N'Gotty is a French football player of Cameroonian ancestry who last played for English club Leicester City. Initially a player at his home team Olympique Lyonnais, he later played for Paris Saint-Germain, A.C... |
DF | 1988–95 | 237 | 13 | 2000–01 | 32 | 0 |
| François Lemasson François Lemasson François Lemasson is a retired professional football goalkeeper from France.He was the goaltender for the Olympique de Marseille team that reached the 1999 UEFA Cup Final. However, he remained on the bench as they lost 3-0 to Parma.-External links:... |
GK | 1987–90 | 101 | 0 | 1998–99 | 5 | 0 |
| Jean-François Domergue Jean-François Domergue Jean-François Domergue is a former French footballer who played defender, now manager of Montpellier HSC.Throughout his career he was called up nine times to the France national football team, where he scored only two goals – both in the semi-finals of the 1984 European Football Championship... |
DF | 1982–83 | — | — | 1986–88 | 73 | 6 |
| Daniel Xuereb Daniel Xuereb Daniel Xuereb is a former football striker from France, who earned eight international caps for the French national team during the 1980s... |
MF | 1977–81 | 95 | 23 | 1981–86 | 19 | 3 |
| Jean Tigana Jean Tigana Jean Amadou Tigana is a manager and former French international footballer, having played in midfield and managed professional football extensively throughout France, including 52 appearances and 1 goal for the France national football team during the 1980s.-Playing career:Tigana started his... |
MF | 1978–81 | 104 | 15 | 1989–91 | 76 | 1 |