Stephane Mbia and http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Olympique-de-Marseille-c40127 in the Champions League and assistant coach Guy Stephan is full of praise for the duo who he feels will play a big part in the club’s revival
Didier Deschamps 2 Claudio Ranieri 0 – this is the final outcome of the round of 16 of the UEFA Champions League two-legged game between Olympique de Marseille and http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Inter-c39567 Milan.
In the first leg, Marseille won 1-0 at the Stade Velodrome and at San Siro, the game ended 2-1 in Inter’s favour but was not enough due to the away goal they conceded against Deschamps’ men.
The 1998 World Cup winner won the tactical battle over Claudio Ranieri. The OM coach made a nice coup in strategy by pairing up Alou Diarra with http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Cameroon-c2865 international Stephane Mbia.
The duo was essential in holding the ball for Les Phoceens in the second leg. The two men were certainly the chief architects in Marseille’s progression to the quarterfinals. The duo’s physical presence and ability to keep hold of the ball meant that Inter
Milan were always struggling despite their dominance.
While talking to OMTV, Marseille’s assistant coach Guy Stephan was full of praise for two of his protégées. The Frenchman said that it was important for his side to win back possession again and again. Stephan also said that the team had great balance in
all sectors of the game which was necessary.
“It’s tough on athletes but it’s important to make good use of the ball. It is no enough to recover the ball, you have to use it properly too. There were four offensive players in Amalfitano, Valbuena, Remy and Andre Ayew. We had four good defenders and
then had Steve and Alou who were phenomenal which made our team strong.”
The duo’s performance that played a big role in the club’s historical achievement would certainly be required yet again when Olympique de Marseille return to Ligue 1 football.
Les Phoceens are languishing in 8th place in the standings and are desperate to play in Europe next season.
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