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Olympique de Marseille plays a crucial match on Tuesday against Tottenham on the final day of the Champions League group stage. At stake for both teams: qualifying for the Round of 16 at the Velodrome, where the heat is expected. But the Fujians will have to hold a full meeting and correct many of the shortcomings in the hope of bringing down Spurs.
“It’s going to be the game of the year!” The Olympique de Marseille coach was not extravagant when he talked about the crucial meeting against Tottenham, Tuesday 1 November. Igor Tudor spoke after that Defeating Marseille at Eintracht Frankfurt (2-1).On October 26, a defeat is synonymous with an upcoming cleaver match against Tottenham.
“We have this final in six days, we shouldn’t worry too much […]. For the backers, it would be nice. Given the way we’ve played so far, we deserved to win. We are good enough to do it,” the Olympic coach explained. “We were brave, we can be proud. The way we’ve made a difference in all of these teams makes me proud. Players can be either.”
So far, OM has had a mixed European journey in the 2022-2023 edition: two defeats against Eintracht Frankfurt, and two wins over Sporting Portugal. Defeat against Tottenham…while waiting for the rematch at home on Tuesday.
In the first leg, the Foggians were not unworthy in London and even competed with Tottenham during the first half. But Mbemba’s early expulsion (47th place) did not balance the building, and OM, who at one point thought he could leave with a tie point, finally made his way twice in five minutes (75th and 81st).
6 – 24% of the teams that scored 6 points after 5 matches in the Champions League group stage have qualified for the Round of 16 since the new format introduced in 2003/04 (11/46). hopefull ? #SGEOM pic.twitter.com/NgjI2Y9qv8
– OptaJean (@OptaJean) October 26 2022
In this “chicken of death”, Marseille occupies the last place in its group (6 points) and will face the leaders Tottenham (8 points). Meanwhile, Sporting Portugal (2nd place, 7 points) will play Eintracht Frankfurt (3rd, 7 points). Four teams stand at two points: Everyone will play the playoffs in the Round of 16 on Tuesday night, but only two teams will win the famous ticket to the final stage.
Many fears to be erased for OM… including the start of the match
Their fate is still in OM’s hands, provided they beat Spurs – who only need a draw to qualify. If the two teams manage to neutralize each other, the two teams can finish third (synonymous with qualification for the Europa League) should Sporting or Frankfurt win the other match – Marseille has a better “goal average” than the two teams. But if the Portuguese and German club draw and Marseille does not win, they will remain in fourth place … unfortunately.
However, football is not only about statistics. Hoping to live an unforgettable evening, Olympique de Marseille will have to make a perfect copy on the green rectangle – which they failed to do during the first five matches.
Among the football fears that must be erased, the management of the start of the match will be essential. In two Champions League matches (Sporting in the first leg and Frankfurt in the second leg), OM weakened very quickly by conceding a goal every time during the first minutes of play. The Phocians did not respond from the kickoff.
>> To read also: Champions League: Too tight defensively, OM bend for Frankfurt
In defence, OM is hoping for the return of Eric Bailly, injured since the match against Paris Saint-Germain on October 16. central defender “brings calm behind”, As mentioned by the team. A quality that the Olympians missed during their last European meeting.
OM’s attacking animation will also be crucial: Chilean forward Sanchez is expected to boost his team’s chances with Harriet likely to lead close to him. Igor Theodor has a great deal of versatility on his offensive line… so even to score he may also be able to count on his midfielder Guendouzi – who was the only scorer in the last game in Frankfurt.
In contrast, Tottenham have not been an imperial since the start of the Champions League group stage. If OM puts the right ingredients into this match, an achievement will be possible in the boiling Vélodrome – run out – Who will just wait to rejoice.
OM and ‘Hen Final’, I Don’t Love You Story Too
- During the 2007-2008 European version, OM hosts Liverpool at home. The goal is to win by passing. But a penalty kick awarded at the start of the match (the third) and a quick second goal (11) revived the atmosphere. In the end, the Olympic exploit did not happen and the Reds won 4-0.
- During the European version 2011-2012, The Fuchs move to Dortmund On the last day of the group stage. But in second place before the start of the match, OM found itself effectively excluded from the Champions League, led by Borussia while Olympiacos beat Arsenal (3-1) in the other game … But Marseille finally qualified thanks to the wire 2 goals in the last minutes (85 and 87, 2-3).
