What: Champions League (Round of 16)
Who: Marseille vs Manchester United
When: Wednesday 23rd February, 2011, at 19:45 UK time
Where: Stade Velodrome, Marseille, France
Seeking a Second English Scalp
Marseille will enter Wednesday’s clash full of confidence, having already beaten Chelsea at the Stade Velodrome during the group stage. Didier Deschamps is leading the club back to relevance in Europe and the 1-0 victory over Carlo Ancelotti’s side back in December was a big statement. The French club finished second in Group F with twelve points and, in addition to overcoming Chelsea, recorded a whopping 7-0 victory away to Zilina.
Domestically, Marseille are bidding to defend their crown and the title race is looking tighter than ever as just four points separate the top five teams in Ligue 1. Marseille are hot on the heels of leaders Lille and have produced three straight league wins to build momentum for Europe. However, injuries to key players are threatening to derail their season, with strikers André-Pierre Gignac and Mathieu Valbuena, who has reportedly attracted interest from United, among the absentees for the first leg.
Deschamps is no stranger to Champions League upsets, having led Monaco to shock wins over Real Madrid and Chelsea in 2004. Despite the worrying injury list, he is eyeing up a repeat performance this week, saying: “I believe we can beat them and knock them out. If I don’t believe it how can I tell my players to believe they can do it?”
Hitting the Road
United are unquestionably in contention for a domestic and European double this season – but the next two weeks will be a defining spell for Ferguson’s men. In part due to the heavy snow in December, United are preparing for four straight games away from Old Trafford. That patch begins at the Stade Velodrome and includes trips to Stamford Bridge and Anfield.
Without ever showing the dominance of previous years, United have displayed tremendous resiliency and grit this season. The flashiness of the Cristiano Ronaldo era has gone but it has been replaced by increased organisation and a greater balance of responsibility. The back four has been particularly stingy and the front line has done just enough to edge tight games.
In Europe, the Red Devils cantered through to the knockout stages, winning Group C and conceding just one goal on the way to four victories and 14 points. Improvement is required at the other end, however, after scoring just seven goals in the six group games.
And Ferguson is well aware of the challenge that awaits United in the first leg, saying: “Their manager, Didier Deschamps, has put together a strong team – a very big, powerful side. It won’t be easy going over there but I think we have a good chance of qualifying.”
Recent form
Marseille:
Marseille 1-0 Arles (05/02; Ligue 1)
Sochaux 1-2 Marseille (12/02; Ligue 1)
Marseille 2-1 St Etienne (19/02; Ligue 1)
Manchester United:
Wolves 2-1 Manchester United (05/02; Premier League)
Manchester United 2-1 Manchester City (12/02; Premier League)
Manchester United 1-0 Crawley Town (19/02; FA Cup)
Key absences
Marseille: André-Pierre Gignac; Mathieu Valbuena; Brandão (doubt); Loïc Rémy (doubt)
Manchester United: Owen Hargreaves; Ji-Sung Park; Antonio Valencia; Jonny Evans; Rio Ferdinand (doubt); Michael Owen (doubt); Ryan Giggs (doubt)
Players to watch
Marseille – Lucho Gonzalez: The 20-year-old midfielder will shoulder most of the attacking burden in the first leg, with other options sidelined. The Argentine playmaker was on the scoresheet at the weekend and will need to see plenty of the ball if Marseille are to dictate possession. Former United defender Gabriel Heinze knows the visitors well and his experience will be a valuable asset for Deschamps.
Manchester United – Nemanja Vidic: United have leaned on the 29-year-old centre back for leadership and inspiration all season and the Serb continues to answer the call. Dominant in the air and rarely caught out of position, there is currently no better defender in Europe. If Rio Ferdinand misses the first leg through injury, Vidic will have an even bigger role to play. Nani is also worth keeping an eye on as United will look to his pace and trickery on the counter attack.
Match Prediction
In all likelihood, United would probably settle for a draw on Wednesday but Marseille’s injury woes could open the door for Ferguson’s men to kill off the tie on French soil. The Stade Velodrome will be hostile and imposing but, if they can weather the early pressure, United’s class will win the day.
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