UEFA Champions League – Match Preview: Olympique de Marseille versus Spartak Moscow
Olympique Marseille are all prepared to establish a spot in the European football’s elite league as they host Spartak Moscow in their first group stage match of the UEFA Champions League for the 2010-2011 season. It is bound to be an exciting encounter as both these teams are renowned for their aggressive attack approach, however that in itself can prove to be their undoing as European football isn’t always about attacking but defensive awareness also plays a crucial role.
Last season, Marseille won the Ligue 1 which is French football’s first division, such a triumph qualified them for a place in the group stages of the UEFA Champions League, something that the club’s players have been looking forward to since. Marseille do not have a bright record in Europe like other clubs such as Lyon or Barcelona but their competitiveness will take them quite far. Placed in an easy group, Marseille have the ability to surprise anyone on their day and thus are favourites to progress to the round of sixteen.
Under their manager, Didier Deschamps, Marseille has been resurgent of late. Their last European trophy came in 1992, back then UEFA Champions League competition was known as the European Cup. However, after losing out in the summer on securing the signatures of any skilful players, Marseille’s squad has come under criticism.
Their start to the Ligue 1 season has also been weak, they have gathered only five points from their opening five matches and last weekend they drew two all against Monaco.
Didier admitted after the disappointing result against Monaco that his team had not been performing to the level that has been expected of them so far this season. He also emphasized the fact that his players have not been taking the chances that have fallen their way. Marseille have made it to the Champions League’s group stages for the last three season but have failed to make it till the round of sixteen on each of those occasions.
There won’t be a better way for Marseille to bring their season back on track other than gaining an impressive victory over Spartak Moscow.
Such a result will do them a world of good as they face Chelsea in their second UEFA Champions’ League group stage match, an encounter that they are sure to be second favourites in. Winning the first match will also notch up their morale something that OM’s players definitely need.
Conversely, Spartak Moscow are set to make the trip to France but so far in the Russian league season, Spartak have been quite poor, therefore it is expected that Valery Karpin’s team will focus it’s efforts on achieving something in the UEFA Champions League.
In the summer transfer window of 2010, Moscow signed up the ex-Celtic star Aiden McGeady, Aiden has been performing on a consistent basis for the Moscow club and will be the focal point of Spartak’s attack against Marseille come Wednesday night. In Moscow’s last match, the Scottish international made an instant impact on his debut as he assisted Welliton’s goal.
In historical terms, Spartak have not been a force to be reckoned with in Europe. They have been good in their own domestic league but European football has often been a step too far for them.
Marseille are set to be without their first team players such as Souleymane Diawara and Loic Remy due to injuries. Both the players are going to miss the match. Andre-Pierre Gignac is also set to miss the match for OM, as he is still regaining match fitness on his way back from a hamstring injury.
For Spartak Moscow, Nikita Bazhenov is going to be a casualty as he suffered a thigh injury on Monday while training for Wednesday’s encounter against OM.
Marseille are favourites heading into this tie as the match will take place at the home stadium, Spartak’s defensive weaknesses are well documented and the French champions will exploit them to the fullest possible extent.
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