Marseille's men in the middle

By Matthew Spiro

Olympique de Marseille midfield players Sylvain N'Diaye and Mathieu Flamini are hoping that their promising partnership will continue to flourish against Valencia CF in the UEFA Cup final on Wednesday.

Fortunes revived
N'Diaye's Marseille career appeared to be over in the first half of the season as he was continually overlooked by coach Alain Perrin. Flamini, meanwhile, was playing in the reserves when Perrin was sacked and replaced by José Anigo in January. Since then the players' fortunes have changed dramatically to the extent that they are now regulars at the heart of the Marseille midfield.

'New lease'
The duo's battling displays were key factors in the victories against Liverpool FC, FC Internazionale and Newcastle United FC, and N'Diaye is ready to rise to the challenge again in Gothenburg. "It's wonderful for me to be playing regularly again after so long on the sidelines," the Senegalese international told uefa.com. "I feel like I have been given a new lease of life by José and I am thrilled to be involved in such a big game."

Communication skills
N'Diaye, who was at FC Girondins de Bordeaux when they lost to FC Bayern München in the UEFA Cup final in 1996, is particularly enjoying the responsibility of being the senior partner in central midfield. "Mathieu and I are both quite similar but the partnership works well because we communicate all the time," said the 27-year-old.

Useful mentor
"I try to encourage him as much as possible and also offer constructive criticism when I feel the time is right. But he's a terrific player and he's not lacking in self-confidence so if ever I do something wrong he's always the first to point it out," N'Diaye said.

'Good enough'
Flamini's mature displays have taken many by surprise, but Anigo, who had already coached him at youth team level, had few doubts the 20-year-old would adapt quickly. "He has got such a cool temperament; he is not fazed by anything," Anigo explained. "I knew he was good enough to play with the first team and calling him up was one of the first things I did when I took charge."

Unbelievable luck
The Marseille-born midfield player revealed that he has already fulfilled his boyhood dream. "I used to dream that I'd play for Marseille one day, but I never really believed it would happen," he told uefa.com. "This season has been incredible but it has all happened so quickly I don't think the reality has sunk in. I still can't believe that I might be playing in a UEFA Cup final."

Holding his own
Nevertheless, Flamini appears undaunted by the prospect of playing the Spanish champions. "We've already played some top teams and I have coped all right in midfield," he said. "I have not come across an opponent yet and thought 'my goodness, this guy is on a different level to me'. When I played against Steven Gerrard I could tell he was an exceptional player but I didn't feel out of my depth."

Ultimate test
For all Flamini's confidence, he is under no illusions as to the size of Marseille's task and admits that his partnership with N'Diaye will be tested more severely than ever. "Valencia are big favourites because they're the Spanish champions and we're seventh in Ligue 1," he said. "It's going to be difficult for Sylvain and I because Valencia use the ball so well. We're going to have to do a lot of running, but we're both fit men and we've had a good rest so hopefully we'll be up to the task."