Bordeaux await crestfallen Marseille
Saturday, December 15, 2007
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Olympique de Marseille will look to put their UEFA Champions League misery behing them as they visit high-flying FC Girondins de Bordeaux in Ligue 1 on Sunday.
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Olympique de Marseille will look to put their UEFA Champions League misery behing them as they visit high-flying FC Girondins de Bordeaux on Sunday.
Humiliating exit
Marseille lost at home to English opposition for the first time on Tuesday, with a 4-0 mauling by Liverpool FC ending their interest in Europe's top club competition. The day after, coach Erik Gerets said: "I don't understand why my players were not in good shape against Liverpool. They must come back strongly against Bordeaux."
UEFA Cup
Big rivals in France in the 1980s, Marseille and Bordeaux could yet meet again in the UEFA Cup this season, with both teams sure of a place in the Round of 32 draw – although they will have to wait until the quarter-finals for any match-up. For the time being then both will be more concerned with Ligue 1 matters, and Marseille have some ground to catch up on third-placed Bordeaux.
'Different ways'
Bordeaux coach Laurent Blanc knows Marseille well, having played in the OM side that reached the 1998/99 UEFA Cup final, losing 3-0 to Parma FC. However, his loyalties will not be divided this weekend. He said: "After their setback against Liverpool, Marseille could react in different ways. We can only hope they won't have recovered in time as they are a form team in the league."
Injured players
If only 13th in the standings, Marseille are unbeaten in five Ligue 1 games although they have not won the fixture in Bordeaux since 1977. Bordeaux have anchorman Alou Diarra and defender Souleymane Diawara suspended while Marseille centre-backs Gaël Givet and Julien Rodriguez are out, leaving Ronald Zubar and Jacques Faty to play together in central defence for the first time.
Valbuena excited
It will be a special occasion for 23-year-old Marseille midfielder Mathieu Valbuena, who started his career in the Bordeaux youth ranks before coming to prominence with FC Libourne Saint-Seurin in Ligue 2. "My family and friends will be in the stands which is great," he said. "But I am trying to prepare the same way as for any other game."