Olympique de Marseille looking to further inflict a blow on Inter 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 Olympique de Marseille 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 Italy have been well-documented.
The San Siro giants recently sold Italy international Thiago Motta 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
Uruguay international, Diego Forlan has struggled to live up to his full potential since arriving at Inter last summer. The former Manchester Untied man could lose his place to Diego Milito 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 Alou Diarra 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 Dejan Stankovic 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 Mathieu Valbuena, Loic Remy and Andre Ayew in great form.
Predicted final score: Marseille 2-0 Inter Milan