Match Preview: Zurich vs. Marseille

By: Sarah | October 20th, 2009

om-fans-after-uefa-cup-semis1 Game three of the Champion’s League Group Stage is upon us, and this game is basically try or die for OM. Having lost their first two games against Milan (2-1, home) and Real Madrid (3-0, away), OM has to start winning some points to challenge for second or third place. Marseille’s group only has one undefeated team– Madrid, who have defeated both Zurich and Marseille. Milan and Zurich are 1-1 thus far in their campaign, with Milan beating OM away but losing to Zurich at home.

Match Preview

Zurich started off their campaign with a horrendous 5-2 defeat against Real Madrid. Marseille’s opening game against Milan was less embarrassing (at least the score line), but unlike Zurich who were able to rally and beat Milan at the San Siro, Marseille have failed to win a single point in qualification thus far. Even though Zurich have more momentum going into this game after beating Milan, I think OM hold their fate in their own hands. If their key players can show up, play hard and remain focused for 90 minutes then they are unbeatable. But, if continue playing how they played in the first two qualification games, then anyone can beat them– including Zurich.

Unlike Marseille who have nothing to lose at this point, Zurich risks cracking under rising expectations after their win against Milan. The team, which competes in a soft domestic league, does not have the quality of players to sustain a series of wins against tough teams. Better yet, some of their players appear to have stars in their eyes when they speak of OM. One of the two French players at Zurich was interviewed by OM.net– and his reverence for OM was obvious (as it should be). But, if Zurich are able to work together as a team to close down space and can channel their offensive at the right time (when OM lose concentration and focus), then they stand a chance of winning this game. If that happens, it would be difficult (if not impossible, depending upon the result of the Madrid-Milan game) for OM to even secure third place in the group.

Team OM

Didier Deschamps has chosen 20 players for the trip to Zurich (Wednesday, 2:45 EST). Lucho and Heinze, who were rested against Nancy, have been recalled to the side. As announced earlier, Rool has sustained a slight sprain to his knee and is expected to be out for 10 days (as of October 14). Even though Souleymane Diawara is suspended (red card received against Real Madrid), he has reportedly been asked to accompany the team to Zurich in order to continue practicing with the first team. Given the great performance against Nancy this weekend, Deschamps has admitted he faces a welcome selection headache against Zurich with both Valbuena and Hilton putting in stellar performances at the weekend (though he also stated that he didn’t think Valbuena had any legs left after the game).

Goal Keepers: Mandanda, Andrade
Defenders: Bonnart, Bocaly, Heinze, Mbow, Taiwo, Hilton
Midfielders: Lucho, Kaboré, Cissé, Cheyrou, Abriel, Mbia, Valbuena, Ben Arfa
Strikers: Niang, Brandao, Morientes, Koné
Suspended : Diawara
Injured: Rodriguez (ankle), Rool (knee), Riou (ribs)

Possible Starting Line-Up: Mandanda, Bonnart, Hilton, Heize, Taiwo, Cheyrou, Lucho, Cisse, Ben Arfa, Niang, Brandao

Ben Arfa was rested at the weekend after two great performances (against Nancy and Nimes) and DD made a comment about Valbuena’s level of fatigue after the Nancy game so I think Ben Arfa will replace him in the starting 11. Brandao will get a chance given his play against Nancy, which garnered him a compliment even from Richard. Diawara’s suspension will allow Hilton in the back four.

Team Zurich

Though Zurich is the home of FIFA and it has found recent success in qualifying first in its World Cup qualification group, it is not considered a great footballing nation. Their domestic league isn’t famous for splashing around money to buy celebrity players, a Swiss club team hasn’t won a European trophy and they rarely make it out of the group stage. Apparently someone forgot to tell Zurich that in game 2 as Gajic scored a goal with a back heel kick in the first 10 minutes. This win has been a welcome distraction for the team who have performed disastrously domestically (4 wins out of 12 games).

I had a hard time finding information about their injuries/available players so the information provided below is courtesy of goal.com.

Martin Buchel may return from injury after sitting out last weekend’s win over Locarno. Eric Hassli will not play until March following a broken leg. Tunisian talisman, Yassine Chikhaoui, remains sidelined.

Possible Starting Line-Up: Leoni; Koch, Barmettler, Tihinen, Rochat; Magairaz, Aegerter, Okonkwo, Gajic, Djuric; Vonlanthen

Predication

Zurich won’t be able to pull off another miracle., no way they take all three points. If OM doesn’t show up then it will be a tough draw. If we have any a momentary spark, we will take all three points easily (knocking on wood).