UPDATE: New information regarding the lineup has been tossed around in the press– see below!

The rest of the world may be focusing on the World Cup Playoffs and the “hand of Henry” (and the impending re-play drama) but let’s not forget the biggest game in the Ligue 1 is happening this tomorrow (Friday, 11/20)!  While everyone else is preparing for their week 14 game this weekend, we will be hoping to get our 10th game finally under our belt.  Though, don’t feel too bad for the Classico being slightly overshadowed– after all the first attempt to play offered us lots of gossip, speculation and controversy after the first game was called off by the LFP a mere few hours before kick-off time.  After a week of accusations and temper tantrums (and no, I’m not referring to Hatem’s tantrum yet), both teams finally agreed up on the Friday after the play-offs.

And, now on to the new developments in Marseille since the last preview…

Match Background

Since the original game date, OM have failed to beat 10-men Toulouse (despite have an extra man for over 80 minutes), crushed Zurich 6-1 and only managed a draw with Lyon despite winning 5 goals (okay, we only scored 4–  thanks again Toulalan!).  Our international break friendly was hardly inspiration either– a mere 2-2 draw with Arle Avignon.  So, against one of the best team in France and another European team we can get 8 in the back of the net (and even get them to score 3 against themselves) — but against a Ligue 2 team we can barely muster 2.  If there was a trophy out there for inconsistency, OM would be in good shape to win it!

Despite my obvious bitterness, overall, I’d say our form is even better than at the time of the first scheduled game.

PSG has also managed to find some light since their descent into the depths of the table and have managed to claw their way up to 12th place.  They’ve managed to get their squad swine flu-free and even managed to a great 4-1 win against Sochaux.  Unfortunately, three good things in a row were just too much for Les Parisians, and they immediately succombed to 1-0 loss to Nice in the last League game.

That being said, OM are definitely vulnerable at the back (the only consistency we have managed this season is our consistently shoddy defense) and PSG definitely have a few players on their roster that can make us pay is we slack off on our defensive positioning and marking.  This becomes even more true in big, passionate games such as this- OM’s ability to focus and stay level-headed will be the key to winning this game.

Team News

Marseille

The good news is that all of our players have returned from international duty, we don’t have any serious new injuries to speak of and we may get some players back.

OM.net has listed the following players as out: Rool (knee), Riou (rib), Rodriguez (ankle), M’bow, N’Doumbou, Osei.

The website also lists Deschamp’s 20 players to receive Paris at the Velodrome tomorrow.

Goal: Mandanda, Andrade
Defenders: Bonnart, Bocaly, Hilton, Diawara, Taiwo, Heinze
Midfielders: Mbia, Cisse, Kabore Cheyrou, Abriel, Lucho, Ben Arfa, Valbuena
Strikers: Niang, Koné, Brandao, Morientes

Take a look at that list again, and for good measure check out the original just to verify that I didn’t doctor the list.  That’s right people, BEN ARFA!  Now that I’m done gloating, I’ll be rational enough to admit that he probably won’t play– can you imagine the backlash?  Even though HBA might deserve the boos and whistling, the rest of team don’t deserve that type of distraction in a game like this.

Some of the papers have been reporting some slight problems with Kone so I start on the bench.  Lucho might also get a chance to play, but Deschamps might want to save them both for Milan– especially Lucho, after all, who knows how long he will remain uninjured this time? Other than those two players, I expect Deschamps to field a strong team tomorrow despite having to plan in Milan on Wednesday.  Afterall, losing this game is not an option– we are sitting 8th in the table and frankly, even drawing with Paris is beneath us.

Update:  Some papers are reporting that Diawara will be benched because of his poor performance record so Heinze may be pushed to the center and Taiwo will take the left-back position.  I’m all in favor or Taiwo getting a first team place, I just wish it was at Heinze’s expense instead of Diawara’s.  There are also reports that Lucho will start, which basically means Valbuena is out.  For some reason, all the players I like seem to be Deschamp’s cast offs– Valbuena, Ben Arfa, Taiwo and now Diawara– ugh!

Expected Line-up: Mandanda, Heize, Hilton, Diawara Taiwo, Bonnart, M’bia, Abriel, Cheyrou, Valbuena Lucho, Brandao and Niang

Paris Saint-Germain

Unlike Deschamps, Kombouare will have to contend with both suspensions and injuries when picking his squad.  First, his captain Makelele is out through suspension.  I know some people say he is is past it, but I have to disagree.  He is just the type of player that could bring a big game mentality to PSG.  I’m relieved he won’t be playing against OM, but I’m always sad not to see him play.  In addition to Makelele, Hoarau is also confirmed to be out until 2010.

Expected Line-up: Coupet, Ceara, Traore, Sakho, Armand, Chantome, Clement, Giuly, Sessegnon, Luyindula and Erding

Prediction

OM will win 2-1.  Like I said, this is a big, passionate match and Marseille won’t want to lose this one in front of their supporters (that loss last year hurt so much!).  Our home form has been atrocious, but I’m looking forward to Deschamps and the team breaking that curse this weekend.  If we lose, I predict it will be because of some failure on our part rather than some stroke of genius from PSG.  Without Makelele, PSG have little chance of winning this game on their own– he brings a sense of control and experience that they lack without him.

The controversy with this fixture just won’t go away!  First there was the usual Classico build-up (including some cool NIKE videos), then the swine flu media explosion, fan mayhem, followed up by some temperamental club politics and then the French government decided to have their say…and now we might have a full-on boycott on our hands!

As most of you know, after the original Classico game last month, fans on both sides were involved in some intense riots in Marseille.  Both the clubs and politicians want to avoid a similar scenario breaking out again– unfortunately, they are doing so at the expense of PSG fans.  The following measures have been taken to reduce the risk of conflict:

• Only 1,000 tickets have been allocated to PSG fans
• A special train has been charted by PSG to take fans from Paris to Marseille

PSG fans seem to be angry about both conditions– but especially the second condition, which they feel treats them like “animals” who can’t “behave themselves.”  But they are offended not only by the lack of respect by the PSG club for their fans– but also the club’s lack of financial consideration.  The round trip train ride will cost €100– almost double the cost of a round-trip bus ride (€60).

So what do people do in France when they are pissed about something– THEY BOYCOTT (or strike, protest etc).  I have serious reservations about the effectiveness of this strike– especially considering that half of the tickets have been sold already (as reported by PSG).

At the club level, PSG is angry about the reduced allocation of tickets for the match– and are expected to retaliate when Marseille visit in the Spring (OM requested 2,000 seats originally).

So– where do you stand?  Is the club disrespecting it’s fans?  Are the fans right to boycott– and if so, do you really think this strategy will even be effective?  Is OM right to try to reduce the PSG fan section– and is PSG’s reaction petty or fair?

This has been a physical game to say the least. Our defense has been shaky and we certainly are having some trouble penetrating the Lyon midfield. Niang quiet for the first thirty minutes began to make incursions into but it doesn’t look like he is playing at a hundred percent. There needs to be some change made to the midfield as I believe we are relying to much on the flanks. Regardless Cheyrou’s late equalizer was a welcomed sight it has been a while since he scored and it was a beauty of a shot. Did anyone else see Pjanic fall down when Cheyrou pushed his arm away? Pretty weak I don’t even think Ronaldo would have pulled that off. Anyway I expect to see a continued physical game. I also want to see Ben Arfa or Valbuena subbed in early in the second half as the midfield needs a shot in the arm to stay the pace.

It has been a big week for French football as two of the three Ligue 1 teams have secured their spot for the next round in the Champions League. With our own victory over Zurich hope is kept alive that we to will be able to celebrate in advancing to the final 16. Domestically our league campaign has been somewhat rocky. The fiasco of PSG (and their fans that wouldn’t go home), an unconvincing tie with Toulouse finds us in seventh place. Seven behind Bordeaux and five off from Lyon certainly a loss on Sunday could spell doom for our title aspirations.

Team news:

OM:
Lucho is still out so don’t expect him as well as Julien Rodriguez. Heinze now seems to be competing with Taiwo for the position of starting left back. To further complicate things we now have Diawara saying he prefers to play next to Hilton rather than Heinze. Personally I think this should be said in private between Diawara and Deschamps not in public. I just don’t see how this statement helps it would would create resentment between the two players. Imagine if Heinze said “I prefer when Diawara doesn’t get red cards in the Champions League.” In America we call that a dick move. Regardless of that up front we are looking at the usual suspects starting.

Possible eleven: Mandanda; Bonnart, Diawara, Hilton, Heinze/Taiwo; Mbia; Cheyrou, Abriel; Kone, Brandao, Niang. As always Sarah and I always hope to see a start from Valbuena or Ben Arfa.

Lyon:
Lyon certainly learned the meaning of physical play with their past match with Liverpool. Players likely to miss tomorrows game include Pjanic, Reveillere, Clerc, Anderson, Bodmer, and Boumsong. With so many strong players sidelined this weekend anything short of victory will be an utter disappointment. We have an extra day of rest on our side a healthier squad I mean if we cant beat a handicapped Lyon…

Possible Eleven: Lloris; Gassama, Cris, Toulalan, Cissokho; Makoun, Ederson, Kallstrom; Michel Bastos, Lisandro, Govou

Bottom Line: Last year I underestimated Lyon when they lost Benzema and Juninho yet they have reinvented themselves with key signings. Regardless of their injury problems they are still a strong side and will undoubtedly cause problems for our back four. I don’t want to see us tie like we did with Bordeaux we need this match to reaffirm our aspirations of winning the title. Our guys are rested up and more importantly healthy, no reason why we cant walk away with three points.

Side fact: You guys know I’m a critic of Brandao, well Sarah pointed out to me that in every game he’s scored OM have won. Well the streak continues with Zurich lets see if he can net one tomorrow.

A little inspiration– the celebration after Heinze’s winning goal in game 3.

I can’t believe we are already at game 4 in Europe– it seems like just yesterday I was in shock at our group competition.  Given our first few performances, I gather OM was shocked as well (1-2 thus far in the group stage…and the one game we won was far from a stellar performance).

Unfortunately I don’t have time to do a complete, thorough match preview today.  To catch up on the general build-up to the game I suggest reading Goal.com’s match preview here.  Now that the more objective perspective is out of the way, let the trash talking and mind games begin.  (Please note that the use of both “mind games” and “trash talking” is used liberally here as both coaches were well behaved in their press conferences– unlike Montpellier president Louis Nicollin who used a homophobic slur this past weekend to describe an opposition player).

Zurich is feeling confident in beating OM at the Velodrome (which is reasonable considering their away wins– including Milan in game 2 of the group).  Meanwhile, Deschamps is feeling the pressure and Niang remains practical (French).

And, a few words from Stephane Mbia on the team’s state of mind after drawing this weekend with Toulouse.

The coach has warned us that we must now turn to Tuesday’s game, which will be very important for us to win at home, and to forget Toulouse. We must not whine or lower our heads and hands

Those lucky to attend the game will get the chance to see a lot of beautiful people (French).

Team News

OM: Diawara will make his return to team after serving his one match ban (red card received against Real Madrid). Laurent Bonnert is unavailable because of the red card he received in Zurich during game 3.  As discussed in my previous post, Lucho is expected to be out for up to four weeks with a bad sprain.  Rool and Rodriguez continue to be sidelined.  Cheyrou is also expected to play, despite his injury sustained earlier last week.

Possible Starting Line-Up: Mandanda, Bocaly, Diawara, Heinze, Taiwo; Cheyrou, Kabore, Cisse, Ben Arfa*; Niang, Brandao

I realize I’m probably wrong about this one-it will probably be Valbuena- but I think that if I continue to put HBA out there as a suggestion then one day I might be right.

FC Zurich:  No new injuries, but they continue to miss Yassine Chikhaoui, Martin Buchel and Eric Hassli

Possible Starting Line-Up

Random Fact: OM has never lost to a Swiss team at the Velodrome, though they have managed two victories and one draw since they first played a Swiss team at home in 1994. 

Watch the video below the jump!

Let’s start with the pre-game festivities.  The game, which played on Halloween,  allowed the fans to show some of their festive spirit.

Before the match, both teams were given time to warm-up on the field– giving the press the opportunity to catch Gignac showing us what happens when he is caught thinking too hard. 

On a more solemn note, a moment of silence was held in order to remember and honor Robert Fabi, a former leader of the OM Association who died in mid-October.  Robert was certainly a life-long supporter of the club- he joined the association in 1960 and had been a board member of the organization since 1983.  Best wishes to Robert’s family, particularly his widow, Jacquie.

Now, on to business.  This game was important– for both Gignac and OM.  Gignac has cultivated a reputation of being an OM-killer.  Last year he managed to score a double and three years ago he scored the winning goal while playing for Lorient.  For OM, winning this game would have allowed them to maintain the momentum they established when they beat Nimes (2-1), Zurich (1-0) and Nancy (3-0) two weeks ago.  Unfortunately, it appears that any momentum that they had was disrupted by the cancellation of the PSG game.  So, lets look at the match in detail.

The Play-by-Play

At the end of the game, the players and staff were probably kicking themselves.  Not just because they lost, but because they lost when they so easily could have won.  From the start of the game, things seemed to be going our way– starting with Niang being pulled down by the Toulouse goalkeeper, Yohann Pele,  in the 8th minute.  Pele was quickly dismissed– and OM had the opportunity to play over 80 minutes with an extra man.    So, did OM take this opportunity?  Of course not.

For the next half an hour, Toulouse maintained their stubborn defensive strategy which OM could barely pierce.  But, of course it gets worse before it gets better, as Toulouse managed to pierce our defense and score.  To be fair to Mandanda, Moussa Sissoko’s free kick was beautiful.  It would have taken an amazing save to keep that ball out.  Of course, amazing keepers are suppose to make amazing saves– but I will cut him some slack and say that this was a reasonable goal to concede.

The good news is that OM seemed to have become energized by being down a goal.  They constantly looked dangerous, but rarely were dangerous.  The offense pushed forward, but couldn’t finish if their lives depended on it.  Lucho, in particular made several close shots which hit the posts or forced a save from the substitute goalkeeper, Olivier Blondel.

Unfortunately, Lucho’s hard work came to an end when he was injured by a tackle from Dany Nounkeu at the 64th minute mark.  Poor Lucho– he really hasn’t had an opportunity to show the fans he is worth all the money the club spent on him this summer, but that hasn’t stopped the fans from getting impatient with them (including myself, I will admit).  He couldn’t even walk off the field– it is always scary when a player has to be stretchered off.  He was replaced immediately by Kabore, and later in the game they showed footage of him being taken to the hospital in an ambulance.  It has been reported today that he has a bad sprain which will keep him out for up to four weeks, though he is expected to undergo more tests Monday to determine the actual extent of the injury.  That means he will definitely miss out on playing Zurich at the Velodrome this week and he may also miss the game at the San Siro on November 25th.  As of now, it looks like he should be back for the Real Madrid game at the Velodrome in December.

Even with Lucho injured, OM continued to push forward after the break, and had a penalty claim dismissed by the referee after Blondel made contact with Valbuena in an amazing save.  What are my thoughts on the penalty claim?   No chance the referee was going to dismiss two of their goalkeepers in the same game– especially if the call was questionable (which it was).

Now, to give credit where it’s due- Toulouse did manage some impressive defending (Heinze, Diawara– take notes!). The OM players appeared to start getting impatient and rash– and at one point it looked like one of Brandao’s high kicks (while bringing down the ball) kicked a defender in the face.  Luckily, the replay showed that it was not his head– only his chest.  And right when I started to get annoyed with him– Brandao scored.  All isn’t forgiven, but it is a start.

After scoring the equalizing goal, OM had several close chances.  Gignac was forced into fulfilling defensive duties as he had to block a Kabore attempt from the line. Brandao almost had a double two minutes from full time which Blondel again managed to save.

For video highlights, visit Thomas’s quick Saturday review here.

So Where Do We Go From Here?

We had some great chances and flashes of great plays, but in the end we couldn’t close the deal (again!).  I think for most of the game, we looked like the better team.  If we had lost all three points, I would have been devastated, but in a lot of ways Toulouse really did win.  To be able to come to the Velodrome, play with 10 men for over 90% of the game, to be ahead for more than half of the game and leave with a point– not too shabby for them.

Sometimes after games like this, it is easy to focus on the negative and even easier to write off our season– after all if we couldn’t beat a team under these conditions, then how can we expect to win titles?  And there are a lot of negatives fans could complain about– the coach staff’s inability to motivate the players, the constant injuries to players, the lack of finishing, the defensive errors and on top of that some of the players don’t even seem capable of putting on the right shirt for the game.

But despite all of those things, I think there is a lot of hope and potential in this team and its management.  If we were Toulouse, we would be happy with a point…but we aren’t Toulouse.  We are the biggest club in France. Sure, we have gained a reputation the last few years for under-performing (especially in key games), but that doesn’t mean we will always play like that.  The silver lining of this whole situation for me is the fact that we have a lot of potential we aren’t tapping into yet.  At least we are a team that has a lot of growth potential– and there is still a lot of time between now and the end of the season to figure out how to use it.  Of course, it would be great if Deschamps, his staff and the team could discover this in the next couple of days– especially since the 10 matches we play this month will be key in both our domestic and European campaigns.  But, even if we don’t find it on Tuesday or next weekend against Lyon, it won’t be the end of our season and it certainly won’t be the end of the world.

Looking Forward

As I mentioned before, OM has a decisive 4th match in their European group on Tuesday against Zurich at the Velodrome.  To prepare for this match, they had a light training this morning and will meet again tomorrow to train before the pre-Zurich press conference.  Regardless of the result on Tuesday, we won’t have any time to gloat or sulk as we will have to immediately jump into preparing for our away game against Lyon.  Despite the injuries to Lucho , Cheyrou (who should be back on Tuesday, I believe), Rodriguez and Rool I think we have a strong chance of not just winning both these games– but crushing these teams.

I’m ending this post with a little fan inspiration–Aux Armes!  Allez l’OM!

We’ve all seen the video…you know the one I’m talking about (and if you don’t its below the jump…and it is not a video displaying their awesome football skills).  

Of course I’m referring to this video taken from documentary of Hatem Ben Arfa and Abou Diaby (Arsenal, formerly Auxerre) fighting while training at the Clairefontaine when they were young.

While this video has been discussed on the Offside before by Inara on The Offside-Lyon, I don’t think it has ever been discussed by the people involved (at least that I have read).  Abou recently gave an interview with the Daily Mail where he discussed this fight and his relationship with Hatem.  Here is an excerpt of the article that talks about the video.

His group became the subject of a TV documentary and even now you can watch a 15-year-old Diaby on YouTube trying to tear Hatem Ben Arfa’s head off. ‘We were just kids and it was one of those jokes that backfired,’ he says. ‘But we are great friends now.’

They were even friends back then, and together they watched the Wenger revolution unfold at Arsenal. ‘For all of us that was the dream,’ says Diaby. ‘To be part of a Wenger team, to be part of something this exciting.

I’m not surprised the two are friends now– they were clearly good friends in the documentary.  Glad to know they have kept in touch.