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French champions Olympique Marseille will be looking to secure a favourable result as they host Manchester United in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League Last 16 tie.
‘Franglais’ is the term used to describe a concocted mixture of the finest in the French and English language. Often it seems forced, whilst at other times it works delightfully well.
Alas, Wednesday night’s clash at the Stade Velodrome can certainly be seen as an Anglo-French, or, ‘Franglais’ clash that promises much and may well deliver on those promises.
The hosts, Marseille, are unbeaten in their last 12 matches and in that time have navigated past some real banana skins as well as toppling Chelsea 1-0 in front of a passionate OM crowd.
Saturday’s 2-1 win over St Etienne reaffirmed the confidence and belief running through Didier Deschamps’s men and with an opportunity to progress to the last eight for the first time since the French club lifted the famous jug-eared trophy in 1993, motivation will be sky-high in the south of France as Les Phoceenne seek to build on their 4 successive Champions League victories this season.
Manchester United return to the creme of European football having struggled to tame a prickly Crawley Town in the 5th Round of the FA Cup.
The non-league side gave a normally resolute Red Devils defence an almighty fright and United boss Sir Alex Ferguson will be hoping that complacency as such is left in dressing room ahead of their visit to the Velodrome.
Impressively, the 2008 winners have the best defensive record in the Champions League and only Valencia have managed to penetrate the United rearguard. Given the bellicose nature of the Velodrome, such resolute solidarity at the back could prove telling come the final whistle.
Team News:
Marseille have several injury concerns ahead of their biggest Champions League clash for years. Striker Andre Pierre Gignac (Groin) will miss the match, whilst Loic Remy and Brandao (both ankle) are doubtful.
On a positive note, playmaker Mathieu Valbuena has returned to training and could well feature at some point.
Manchester United will be without defender Rio Ferdinand and Ryan Giggs. Midfielder Anderson is also doubtful whilst Park Ji Sung will miss out due to injury.
Likely Line Ups:
Marseille: Mandanda; Taiwo, Diawara, Mbia, Heinze; Cheyrou, Lucho Gonzalez, Cisse; Remy, Brandao, Ayew.
Manchester United: Van der Sar; Rafael, Smalling, Vidic, Evra; Nani, Scholes, Fletcher, Carrick, Giggs; Rooney.
Prediction: Marseille 2-1 Manchester United. Will United’s away form this season come back and haunt them? United have won nine out of their last 10 away matches in Europe, but lacking the presence of Rio Ferdinand, this record is in danger as the hosts wade into their opponents.
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