Olympique de Marseille Vs Montpellier – Coupe de La Ligue Final
Final showdown a la Stade de France
Tonight, Olympique de Marseille will take on Montpellier in the final showdown of the Coupe de la Ligue. The venue is Stade de France, Saint Denis - a historic stadium that will see a game between defending champions (Marseille) and first-time finalists (Montpellier).
Last year, Marseille beat Girondins de Bordeaux 3-1 in the final to lift the trophy for the first time in their history. On the other hand, Montpellier will be playing in the final of France’s oldest and most prestigious cup competition for the first time in history.
To add more drama to the affairs, Montpellier have been training for the final behind closed doors. This is the club’s first major final in 17 years. In 1994, Montpellier reached the final of the French Cup but lost 3-0 to fellow Ligue 1 side, Auxerre. The last time Montpellier won a domestic bauble was 21 years ago, when they beat Racing Club of Paris in extra time in the 1990 edition of the French Cup.
Montpellier midfielder Younes Belhanda is eagerly anticipating the final and has said that he will throw club president, Louis Nicollin, into the Stade de France’s very own Jacuzzi bath if his side manages to beat defending champions Marseille. Belhanda won the Coupe Gambardella (French youth cup) in 2009 and still has fond memories of the historic win.
"The supporters made lots of noise and filled up the stands. The other thing I remember is the moments of joy in the Jacuzzi with the trophy. We didn't dare throw the president in, but I think if we win this time then we'll have to chuck him in!" said the talkative and ever-enthusiastic midfielder.
Road to the final
Olympique de Marseille
Les Phoceens’ journey towards Stade de France has been relatively easy. In their first game of the competition, they beat Ligue 2 side Guingamp and then easily negotiated their passage by eliminating AS Monaco and Auxerre in the quarter and semi-finals.
Montpellier
In their first game of the Coupe de La Ligue, Rene Girard’s men beat Ligue 2 outfit, Ajaccio, and then stunned French football by defeating strong sides in the likes of LOSC Lille and Paris Saint-Germain.
Previous Meeting
The previous meeting between the two sides was a feisty affair at the Stade de la Mosson. The game had the essence of a dress rehearsal for the final and Marseille won the game after coming back from behind.
Olivier Giroud opened the scoring for Montpellier in the second half but Andre Pierre Gignac equalised for the Parisiens. Later on, Nigerian International, Taye Taiwo scored on a penalty to give Didier Deschamp’s side all three points. Loic Remy and Abdelhamid El Kaoutari were sent off in the 80th minute after the two demonstrated their boxing skills in front of the crowd.
Team News
Marseille
France International Loic Remy will not play any part in the final after the youngster picked up a red card in the aforementioned game that took place last week.
Montpellier
Rene Girard will have to do without the presence of star player, Abdelhamid El Kaoutari, after the player was given his marching orders following his physical altercation with Loic Remy of Marseille.
What the coaches say
Rene Girard (Montpellier)
"When you work hard and put a lot of energy, passion and desire into what you do, you want to be rewarded for it, especially as so many of my fellow coaches are in trouble right now. Winning the Coupe de la Ligue would give value to the work but in by the coaching staff at a club that hasn't gone big-headed but knows its quality. As we have won nothing yet, we have to stay humble."
Didier Deschamps (Olympique de Marseille)
"For Montpellier, it's an opportunity to win a title, something that most of their players haven't done before," said Deschamps, who is fully aware that his opponent’s trophy cabinet consists of a Ligue 2 title from 1986/87, the French Cup in 1990 and the Intertoto Cup in 2000. "They're in the final and they have a chance to lift a trophy; they can win a title, which is a very important thing for a club."
Predictions
This game is a tough one to call. Both sides have been in great form of late. However, Didier Deschamp’s men might just edge the game as they have a psychological advantage over Montpellier after they won at their turf last week.
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