Match Preview: OM vs. Zurich (Game 4, Champion’s League)

By: Sarah | November 3rd, 2009

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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

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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.