Marseille hoping for silver lining

For success-starved supporters of Olympique de Marseille, pre-season always begins with the hope that this could finally be their year. It is 16 years since France's most successful team last won a domestic trophy and as ever the pressure to end that run is intense. 

Trophy drought
"It's my fourth season in Marseille and like the rest of the team the main target is to win a trophy, whatever it is," captain Lorik Cana said. OM were victorious in the UEFA Intertoto Cup in 2005 and 2006 but both fans and players are hungry for more, especially after losing two French Cup finals in the past three seasons and finishing second in the league in 2006/07. Last season they came third to earn a place in the third qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League.

'New step'
"We have to take a new step this season," continued Cana. "At Marseille it's natural to aim for the top places in the league table. To do that we need to stop having weak spells; we need to be consistent throughout the season." The arrival of Erik Gerets as coach last September could make the difference. The Belgian replaced Albert Emon with Marseille 18th in the table and masterminded an impressive recovery. "I feel good here and we can keep improving," said Gerets, who already feels at home in Marseille. "I missed the city after two days here," he said last week when his side started their training camp in Evian in the French Alps.

Ben Arfa signs
As usual, OM have been a major talking point in France during pre-season, which began for them on 26 June. Throughout that month they were the centre of attention during protracted negotiations with Olympique Lyonnais to sign Hatem Ben Arfa. The 20-year-old France winger is the biggest transfer of the summer in Ligue 1 with Marseille paying €11m for one of French football's most exciting prospects. OM president Pape Diouf got that back and then some with the €15m sale of another 2004 UEFA European Under-17 champion, Samir Nasri, to Arsenal FC. "We're sorry to have lost Samir, but happy to have Hatem," Gerets said. "He is a player who can go past one or two defenders very easily, but he must be careful. If he refuses to defend, he will have problems."

New signings
OM kick off their Ligue 1 campaign on 9 August at Stade Rennais FC, when they should be able to parade their new centre-back pairing of Brazilian Hilton, a €5m arrival from RC Lens, and 26-year-old Elamin Erbate who has signed from Raja Casablanca. Their partnership will allow Cana to play the holding role in midfield. Goalkeeper Cédric Carrasso has joined Toulouse FC in exchange for Rudy Riou after losing his starting place to Steve Mandanda.

'Satisfied'
Marseille have won two, drawn one and lost one of their four pre-season friendlies but Gerets warned against reading much into those results. "I'm satisfied with the way the team has improved," he said. "But those results don't mean much, as we have worked massively on the physical side to be ready for the start of the season." A year ago Marseille won all their pre-season friendles, but just one of their first ten league games. As they prepare to embark on their 60th campaign in the top flight, a better start is required.