Olympique de Marseille looking to further inflict a blow on http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Inter-c39567 Milan’s faltering campaign. Didier Deschamps’ side is keen to take the advantage over Claudio Ranieri’s side at the Stade Velodrome
Stade Velodrome, Rhone will see Ligue 1 side http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Olympique-de-Marseille-c40127 host Italian Serie A strugglers Inter Milan in the first leg of the round of 16 of this season’s UEFA Champions League.
Domestic struggles ignored
Marseille coach, Didier Deschamps knows that his team should not be taking anything for granted when they play Claudio Ranieri’s side at the Velodrome. Inter Milan have seen a truly abysmal start to the new year and their struggles in http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Italy-c2926 have been well-documented.
The San Siro giants recently sold Italy international http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Thiago-Motta-c34897 to Ligue 1 side Paris Saint-Germain. Since the midfielder’s departure, the Nerazzurri have not won a single game in the Serie A. However, Didier Deschamps is well aware of Inter Milan’s rich
history when it comes to playing in the Champions League.
Didier Deschamps saw Inter Milan slump to a 3-0 home loss at the hands of Bologna on Friday. This was Ranieri’s side’s second straight defeat at the San Siro following a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Novara who are threatened by relegation.
Currently, Inter Milan are in seventh place in the Serie A standings which has led fans to ask for Ranieri’s resignation. With Inter out of contention for every domestic title, Champions League remains their only hope of glory this campaign.
And, Deschamps knows that Inter Milan are still a big threat despite their recent woes.
“They are a team that is not playing well at the moment. I have seen their previous matches on television and there have been lots of individual defensive mistakes. But I am convince we will not see the same Inter as of their last four Serie A matches. They
will not erase everything in four or five days but collectively, they will be better,” says Deschamps.
Struggling for goals against Italian
Despite Inter Milan’s failures, Didier Deschamps should know that Marseille have a poor goal tally when it comes to facing Italian opposition. In the last 14 meetings with Serie A sides, Marseille have managed to score just once which means that Deschamps’
side could struggle to break down Inter’s defence.
Furthermore, Marseille have been unconvincing in their last two Ligue 1 games. after two consecutive draws in the league, Marseille are now in fourth place and need to start winning their games in order to have any chance of playing in the UEFA Champions
League next season.
Forlan looking to return to his best
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Diego-Milito-c11166 but feels that Inter can revive their fortunes.
“I came here, played a few games and then the coach changed. It happens – suffering an injury too,” says Forlan.
Team news
Olympique de Marseille
Deschamps would be sweating over the fitness of http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Alou-Diarra-c5259 who injured his toe in the 1-1 draw against Valenciennes. Otherwise, Deschamps has a fully-fit squad to choose from.
Inter Milan
Diego Milito and http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Dejan-Stankovic-c10793 missed the 3-0 defeat to Bologna and are expected to return
Predictions
Though Marseille have struggled to find the net against Serie A sides, the game against Inter offers the Rhone giants a chance to change their luck with the likes of http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Mathieu-Valbuena-c24690, Loic Remy and Andre Ayew in great form.
Predicted final score: Marseille 2-0 Inter Milan
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