The 2004-05 campaign was a turbulent season of transition for Olympique Marseille, following the sale of talisman Didier Drogba, yet the club battled through managerial upheaval (three different coaches) to secure a crucial 5th-place finish in Ligue 1. This position earned OM a spot in the Intertoto Cup, which they went on to win, a moment of silverware and European qualification that salvaged the year. Leading the charge was the versatile Péguy Luyindula, whose 10 league goals were vital, alongside the veteran efforts of Steve Marlet and Laurent Batlles, and the early glimpses of brilliance from a young Samir Nasri. It was a defiant year that paved the way for an unexpected piece of European success and remains a defining chapter in the club's modern history.