What: Champions League Round of 16
Who: Marseille vs Inter
When: Wednesday 22nd February, 2012, at 19:45 UK time
Where: Stade Velodrome, Marseille, France
Real Chance
Marseille’s dream of becoming Ligue 1 champions might be out of reach at the moment, as the Stade Velodrome outfit trail leaders Paris Saint-Germain by 12 points. But last season’s runners-up are still in the race for third place in order to qualify for next season’s Champions League tournament. As for the current edition, qualification for the next round seems possible against a weak and battered Inter side.
L’OM were left ruing their luck against Valenciennes in their last Ligue 1 game. Speaking after the clash, coach Didier Deschamps quickly turned his side’s attention to the forthcoming clash against Inter however.
“I am disappointed with the result given all the chances we had. We had a good first half but couldn’t take advantage and get a second goal so these two points dropped is hard to take…from Sunday I will start thinking about the Inter Milan game but from what I saw [tonight] we should have won this game.”
Deschamps will be without injured striker Loic Remy here, who has been the side’s leading goalscorer with nine strikes so far this term. Additionally, forward Andre-Pierre Gignac remains a long-term casualty for the side.
Season to Forget
Words just cannot express the depth of the abyss that Inter have plunged into. Having experimented with four coaches since Jose Mourinho decided to stay in Spain after the 2010 Champions League final, Claudio Ranieri is the latest man to have drawn the ire of the demanding fans, with calls for his head growing with each day. As such, a loss against Marseille will surely drive him further towards the exit door.
A 3-0 weekend defeat to Bologna marked the side’s third consecutive Serie A disaster and their second successive one at the San Siro. At such a crucial time, club legend Javier Zanetti highlighted the importance of “staying positive” as the season goes on.
“We are going through a difficult moment…We are trying to overcome this situation, but that has not yet been possible. It is time for us to bring out our pride to leave this maze we find ourselves in”, said the Argentine, before backing under-fire Ranieri. “There is unity in the team, there is no problem from this point of view…We are in sync with Ranieri.”
However, another horrible showing will see more criticism aimed at the “Tinkerman”. The Italian needs wins galore in order to save his Inter career, but that may be beyond his reach now.
Recent form
Marseille:
Marseille 2-2 Lyon (05/02; Ligue 1)
Bourg-Peronnas 1-3 Marseille (15/02; Coupe de France)
Marseille 1-1 Valenciennes (18/02; Ligue 1)
Inter:
Roma 4-0 Inter (05/02; Serie A)
Inter 0-1 Novara (12/02; Serie A)
Inter 0-3 Bologna (17/02; Serie A)
Key absences
Marseille: Loic Remy; Billel Omrani; Stephane M’Bia; Andre-Pierre Gignac
Inter: Ricardo Alvarez; Diego Milito; Dejan Stankovic; Walter Samuel; Fredy Gaurin
Players to watch
Marseille – Brandao: Back at the club after a loan spell in his native Brazil, Brandao is entrusted with the duty of breaking through Inter’s defence. With the Nerazzurri back four enduring a horrific spell lately, the Brazilian needs to capitalise should he want to lead his side to victory.
Inter – Diego Forlan: The former Atletico Madrid man still has not found his groove at his new home, making his FIFA World Cup form a thing of the past. Against Marseille, Forlan will need to find his best in order for his side to have a good chance of qualification.
Match Prediction
Things do not favour Inter at this point. The side is at an all-time low, and a win against Marseille will be hard to come by. Marseille are enjoying better luck, and at the Stade Velodrome can pull off a good result that will potentially grant them qualification. Expect a final 2-0 score for the hosts.
Who is your money on in this Champions League clash between Marseille v Inter? Make sure you visit OLBG for tips and to compare the current odds and betting markets available at all the important bookmakers.
