Olympique de Marseille’s troubles continued as they were handed a resounding 2-0 loss to Bayern München in the opening leg of the Champions League quarter-final at Stade Vélodrome. The result extends l’OM winless run to nine in all competitions and leaves with a mighty hill to climb in next weeks decider in München.

Suffering in a deplorable Ligue 1 campaign the may see their side completely out of European competition next year, les Marseillais rested hope on a successful start to the quarter-final tie. Without the services of goalkeeper Steve Mandana due to suspension, former Rapid Bucureşti man Elinton Andrade stepped between the woodwork with Mathieu Valbuena donning the captain’s armband. Before a modest crowd of less than 32,000, Bayern tested Elinton Andrade early with Arjen Robbin’s curling strike from the right by-line parried to safety. Les Olympiens squandered a golden opportunity at the seventh minute when André Ayew’s point blank header of Mathieu Valbuena’s corner from the right was stopped by Bayern ‘keeper Manuel Neuer but Loïc Rémy sent the rebound into the side netting with the open goal beckoning. After the early advanced, play buckled down into a tough midfield prize fight, with few attacking efforts of worth. If l’OM thought they were going to go to the break level, Bayern had something to say with the go-ahead and all-important away goal one minute shy of the break. After dispossessing Mathieu Valbuena of the ball, Phillip Lahm launched a quick counter on the right, linking to Arjen Robben via Franck Ribéry. The stylish Dutch international fed Mario Gómez in the area with the striker delivering a booming effort to the right corner that was too hot for the l’OM ‘keeper to hold.

The second half started with a spirited attack on the left by les Olympiens only to come up empty as Mathieu Valbuena’ nodded a cross over the bar. Bayern continued its patient play and after Loïc Rémy’s header pulled down by Manuel Neuer and yet another chance by the striker was stopped, the Bundesliga side doubled the margin with twenty-one minutes remaining in regulation time. Coming off the right flank, Arjen Robben played a sumptuous one-two with Thomas Müller before sending a low, side-footed effort, to the bottom right corner of the net. For the balance of play, l’OM’s efforts were primarily of the low probability kind and the match concluded without further incident as Bayern München claimed the 2-0 victory.

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Avec un but magique de Brandão,en temps additionnel, les Olympiens réservé leur billet pour les quarts de finale de la Ligue des Champions avec 1-2 résultat (2-2 globale) face à Internazionale Milano à San Siro lors d’un duel éblouissant que peu oublieront.

Les Marseillais ont commencé sur une note positive avec Stéphane Mbia en superbe forme d’avant Inter ait manqué de prendre les devants à la onzième minute quand Javier Zanetti dirige le ballon pour Wesley Sniejder dont l’effort a été dévié sans danger pour le gardien Steve Mandanda. Les Nerazzurri ont gaspillé une autre chance de qualité trois minutes plus tard ,quand un centre de Wesley Sniejder à Diego Milito a entraîné un arrêt superbe du gardien de but l’OM. Après les occasions ratées en début de match,La défensive ,des Olympiens, était proche de la perfection et les hôtes étaient incapables d’afficher une autre menace d’attaque jusqu’à la pause.

Le reflet, de ce duel ,n’a pas changé après la pause, avec l’OM à l’aise à limiter les chances et attendre patiemment des opportunités lors de contre-attaques. Les chances se faisaient rares jusqu’aux quinze dernières minutes du match quand Marseille a concédé un coup de pied de coin à gauche et dans l’effort qui a suivi le ballon n’a pas été dégagé avant que Diego Milito a envoyé dans le filet à bout portant.Avec le temps supplémentaire, pourtant, à l’horizon, l’OM a frappé le but décisif à la deuxième minute du temps additionnel lorsque longue passe de Steve Mandanda a trouvé Brandão, mais par l’intermédiaire d’un rebond fortuit, gracieuseté de Lúcio avant de conduire le ballon passé Júlio César. Improbable, l’Inter a immédiatement riposté en passant la balle sur la droite a vu Giampaolo Pazzini retenu par Steve Mandanda qui a abouti à l’attribution d’un penalty et le gardien des Phocéens expulsé avec son second carton jaune. Dans l’effort qui a suivi, Giampaolo Pazzini touche les cordages vis à vis le substitut Gennaro Bracigliano, mais l’OM peut revendiquer la règle des buts et il met maintenant à sa disette de dix-neuf dans le quartier-finale de la Ligue des Champions.

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With a magical added-time goal from Brandão, les Olympiens booked their ticket to the quarter finals of the Champions League with 1-2 result (2-2 aggregate) to Internazionale Milano at the San Siro Milano in a dazzling contest that few will forget.

The Marseillais started smartly with Stéphane Mbia proving to be in a fine from before Inter narrowly missed taking the lead at the eleventh minute as Javier Zanetti cut the ball back for Wesley Sniejder whose effort was deflected into the mitts of goalkeeper Steve Mandanda. The “Nerazzurri” squandered another fine chance three minutes later as a cross from Wesley Sniejder to Diego Milito resulted in another fine stop by the l’OM ‘keeper. Following those early chances the Marseille midfield was near perfect and the hosts were unable to post another notable attacking threat until the break.

The complexion of the contest did not change after the re-start, with l’OM comfortable at limiting chances and waiting patiently for opportunities in the counter attack. Chances were rare until the final fifteen minutes when Marseille conceded a corner to the left and in the ensuing effort the ball was not cleared before Diego Milito sent it into the net from close range. With extra time seemingly in the horizon, l’OM struck the decisive goal in the second minute when Steve Mandanda’s long pass found Brandão, albeit via a fortuitous bounce, who then navigated away from Lúcio before driving the ball past Júlio César. Improbably Inter immediately made their riposte as a through ball on the right saw Giampaolo Pazzini brought by Steve Mandanda that resulted in the awarding of a penalty and the les Phocéens goalkeeper sent off with his second yellow card. In the ensuing effort Giampaolo Pazzini sent the ball past Gennaro Bracigliano but as the final strike of the match l’OM claimed the aggregate courtesy of the away-goal rule and now brings to an end its nineteen year absence in the quarter-finals of the Champions League.

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The fairy tale romance of the football world took centre stage as before their faithful supporters APOEL marched to the Champions League quarter-finals with a 4-3 (1-0) penalty shootout victory of French powerhouse Olympique Lyonnais.

Trailing 1-0 after the opening league, APOEL had no plans in backing down and with the fiery cauldron of GSP Stadion Ivan Jovanović’s men went straight on the attack. Nine minutes into the encounter Constantinos Charalambides surged into the right channel before threading a perfect low cross that Gustavo Manduca dutifully turned into the net as the Nicosia were thrown into rapture. Gradually l’OL fought back but they would soon learn the APOEL ‘keeper Dionisis Chiotis was in splendid form, as when he pawed away Ederson’s free-kick on the left. Later les Gones were in high probability range to level as Lisandro López delivered a piercing cross from the left by-line that Michel Bastos nodded over the bar. The contest was now open like two prize-fighters going toe-to-toe in the centre of ring both ‘keepers repelled advances through to the break as the hosts maintained their advantage.

After the break APOEL showed no frailty with the mounting pressure and continued to probe for the outright winner. Chances came by the lot full but efforts from Aílton and Esteban Solari failed to live up to measure and turned aside by l’OL ‘keeper Hugo Lloris. On the opposite end of the pitch Dionisis Chiotis etched his name on the contest, maintaining the aggregate deadlock through regulation time with a series of brilliant stops including a late offering from Lisandro López.

With the start of extra-time, tension hit a feverish pitch and opportunities slowed as neither side would give up a blade of grass unchallenged. Paulo Jorge, who enjoyed a brilliant evening, narrowly missed depositing an own goal into his own net via a Kim Källström with the first quarter-hour lacking further scoring threats. The final fifteen minutes saw l’OL press forward and once Gustavo Manduca was given his second yellow-card the best the Cypriot side could do was slow the contest for penalties. Following failed efforts for the outright winner the contest went to penalties with Dionisis Chiotis shining brightly.

After both sides successfully completed the first three strikes, though l’OL was fortunate as Lisandro López’s bounded off the woodwork and into the net off the sprawled ‘keeper, Dionisis Chiotis would hold their final two efforts at bay. After stopping Alexandre Lacazette and seeing Ivan Tričkovski convert his effort from the sport, Dionisis Chiotis denied Michel Bastos to seal the victory and start the celebrations in Nicosia.

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In a daring midnight smash and grab, Olympique de Marseille claimed a 1-0 victory over over Internazionale in front of nearly 38,000 at Stade Vélodrome in the opening leg of their Champions League tie courtesy of André Ayew’s late goal. With the result, l’OM heads to next weeks rubber match at the San Siro with the modest margin whilst many question if Claudio Ranieri’s managerial reign with the Italian side near a end.

The tactical gem that matched l’OM’s Didier Deschamps against Internazionale Claudio Ranieri played out to perfection with the visitors showing a daring counter strike vision that narrowly missed taking the lead early. The Nerazzurri, a troubled seventh in the Serie A table, were in prime position to the take the lead just past the tenth minute when via a quick assault on the left Diego Forlán was provided a perfect cross from Esteban Cambiasso but the Uruguayan sniper saw his effort wisp over the bar with l’OM ‘keeper Steve Mandanda getting just enough of his mitt on it to shift direction. Following the visitor’s early effort the complexion changed with l’OM more aggressive but unable to truly trouble Internazionale goalkeeper Júlio César and the Nerazzurri passion for the counter consistently looked ready to break the deadlock. A Mathieu Valbuena free-kick just past the half-hour showed great promise but neither Brandão nor Souleymane Diawara had the right touch and the opportunity perished. After Esteban Cambiasso flirted with the go-ahead goal at the forty-fourth minute the contest went to the break scoreless.

At the re-start, l’OM came out with intent but for all the advances the final third was a place of disappointment of les Olympiens. Searching for the right mix M. Deschamps called upon Jordan Ayew for Brandão with seventeen minutes remaining, with Rod Fanni for César Azpilicueta shortly thereafter. Following Dejan Stanković saw a chanced denied by Steve Mandanda, André Ayew began to turn up the heat. After being disappointed with sending a cross wide, the twenty-two year old latched onto the ball on left as time ticked down as sent a beaming effort from the right outside of the his boot that Júlio César pushed wide. Racing out to the corner on the left Mathieu Valbuena stopped the attacker, who shook away from Cristian Chivu to nod the ball to bottom back corner of the net and send the Marseillais faithful into raptures with the 1-0 victory.

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Courtesy of Vasili Berezutski’s late headline grabbing goal, CSKA Moscow booked their spot in the Champions League round of sixteen with a stunning 2-1 victory over Internazionale at the San Siro. With the result, the Army-Men overtake LOSC Lille Métropole and Trabzonspor who played to a scoreless draw and join countrymen Zenit Saint Petersburg in the next stage of the premier tournament.

Entering the day, CSKA’s chances were on the modest side but they came out with both barrels firing starting with early efforts from Vágner Love and Seydou Doumbia before the hosts began to stir. Both sides displayed a willingness to press forward but capable defending cooled their jets before Vágner Love nodded Alan Dzagoev’s free-kick over the bar from close range as the contest went to the break deadlocked.

Five minutes after the re-start, CSKA’s hopes exploded with a turnover deep in the Nerazzurri’s final third saw a clever set-up pin-ball from Vágner Love back to Seydou Doumbia, in a borderline onside position, before the Ivorian hammered the ball into the bottom corner of the net. If the Army-Men’s hope soured, Internazionale extinguished the flame less than a scant minute later when Andrea Ranocchia’s header from a corner on the left was stopped by CSKA goalkeeper Vladimir Gabulov but Esteban Cambiasso poached on the rebound to send into the net. Quick as a flash the Muscovite’s launched a riposte but host ‘keeper Luca Castellazzi made a spellbinding stop of Alan Dzagoev. In the final quarter-hour, CSKA manager Leonid Slutsky ushered in Aleksandrs Cauņa and Evgeni Aldonin for Sekou Oliseh and Deividas Šemberas as his side hunted for the much needed goal. As time ticked down and the chance of victory appeared to grow dim, Russian international Vasili Berezutski slipped off his mark and from six metres nodded Aleksandrs Cauņa’s corner from the right downward and past Luca Castellazzi for the 2-1 victory.

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Christmas came early for the Marseillais as on the verge of elimination, Mathieu Valbuena’s monumental late goal sent Olympique de Marseille to the Champions League round of sixteen via a 3-2 victory over Borussia Dortmund at Westfalenstadion.

Entering the contest the situation looking trying for the Côte d’Azur side as the day would play out with Olympiacos overcoming Group F winners Arsenal, only a victory would suffice. For defending Bundesliga champions Borussia Dortmund the day was more about pride than the glimmer of chance in claiming a spot in the Europa League but true to form they started in confidence. Mid-point of the opening half and after testing l’OM goalkeeper Steve Mandanda smartly twice, Borussia opened the scoring as a long throw-in from the right into the box was headed high by Sebastian Kehl, played back to Jakub Błaszczykowski by Robert Lewandowski with the mercurial Polish international drilling the ball in from six metres. Die Schwarzgelben were in rapture as following continued pressure, match-day referee Howard Webb signalled a penalty on Stéphane Mbia after high contact with Sebastian Kehl, which proved to be a further problem for Borussia as the veteran skipper was forced out of the contest. However in the ensuing effort, Mats Hummels struck a low beaming effort to the bottom left corner of the net and suddenly Borussia’s dream of a four-goal margin of victory did not seem so unrealistic. Les Phocéens clawed an important goal back in the fourth minute of added-time shy of the break as Morgan Amalfitano’s sublime right wing cross was nodded in from close range at the back post by a surging Loïc Rémy.

At the re-start, l’OM manager Didier Deschamps summoned Benoît Cheyrou for Stéphane M’Bia whereas BVB’s charge continued to be dampened with injury as Mario Götze was forced out and the attacking efforts of Jürgen Klopp’s side slowed considerably. After solid chances on both ends of the pitch came up for naught prior to the hour, the Marseillais tactician added Jordan Ayew for Lucho González, with Mathieu Valbuena for Loïc Rémy shortly thereafter. l’OM was hanging on by the thinnest of threads when, at the eighty-fifth minute, Morgan Amalfitano’s corner from the right was headed powerfully into the net by André Ayew. In need of the goal Mathieu Valbuena stepped into the heroes light with a stunning piece of artistry as he accepted a throw-on on the left, moved into the box before completely leaving İlkay Gündoğan grasping at the air as he pulled the ball back his right foot and then fired a dipping effort over the outstretched arms of Borussia ‘keeper Roman Weidenfeller and into the net. Up by one, the hosts were unable to respond with Olympique de Marseille claiming the 3-2 victory and a spot in the Champions League round of sixteen.

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Olympique de Marseille’s trying campaign took yet another dark turn as they lost 1-0 to Olympiacos at Stade Vélodrome in Group F play of the Champions League. With the result l’OM sits in second place, a scant point above the Greek side before their visit of Borussia Dortmund in the cauldron of Westfalenstadion on 6 December.

l’OM entered the day only one point off Arsenal in the Champions League but confidence was far from billowing after a trying loss to Montpellier in league action on the weekend along with a challenging schedule that see’s them in a venomous battle against PSG this weekend in another chapter of Le Classique.  From his weekend starting eleven, l’OM manager Didier Deschamps made two changes to his line-up with Djimi Traoré and Mathieu Valbuena coming in for Jérémy More and Morgan Amalfitano.

The opening whistle saw the Marseillais faithful from impressive in the opening stages with Olof Mellberg sneak under the defenders at the back-post to head David Fuster’s free kick into the net at the ninth minute, only to see a borderline offside spoil the goal. Five minutes past the half-hour Kevin Mirallas, formerly of Saint-Étienne, saw his goal-bound effort pushed aside by in-form l’OM goalkeeper Steve Mandanda who moments later stretched out fully to deny José Holebas drive from twenty metres. Clearly on their back heels with a midfield bogged down, the match went to the break scoreless with the home supporters serenading their disapproval.

The re-start saw Les Phocéens play with greater purpose but they quickly found visiting ‘keeper Balázs Megyeri was ready for the challenge, starting with his stop of Mathieu Valbuena in point-blank range via André Ayew’s cross. Near the hour Kevin Mirallas surged past Souleymane Diawara in a quick counter on the left but once again the story of the day was between the posts as Steve Mandanda rose to the occasion. Just past the hour, M. Deschamps added André-Pierre Gignac and Stéphane M’Bia for Jordan Ayew and Benoît Cheyrou, with Lucho González for Mathieu Valbuena twelve minutes later as l’OM hunted for a way through. However, Balázs Megyeri continued to shine as he managed to stunning stop a diving header from Alou Diarra via Loïc Rémy and with eight minutes remaining in regulation time disaster struck for the hosts. Coming via a sumptuous chipped pass via Francisco Yeste to an unmarked Ioannis Fetfatzidis on the left side of the area, the twenty year-old boomed a powerful volley to the opposite corner of the net to give Ernesto Valverde’s side they would not relinquish. In search of the equalizer l’OM mounted a mighty challenge but after their efforts came up short Olympiacos claimed the 1-0 victory.

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A late strike from Seydou Doumbia secured CSKA Moscow a 2-2 draw in their visit of Lille Métropole in the opening contest of Group B in the Champions League.

The opening stages saw the defending Ligue 1 champions gradually taking control after a stingy opening with Marko Baša’s nodded provision sent over the bar by Moussa Sow. The twenty-five year old attacker, ex of Stade Rennais was in prime position to break the deadlock via Benoît Pedretti’s deft pass but he sent his effort off course. After seeing a series of efforts come up short Lille finally broke the deadlock a minute shy of the break as a corner rattled around the box before David Rozehnal played it back from the opposite by-line to which Moussa Sow cleverly back heeled it into the net.

At the re-start the Leonid Slutsky’s Army-Men showed venom led by Vágner Love storming the centre of the pitch before shifting the ball to Zoran Tošić on the right with the Serbian international rasping an effort off the woodwork. However three minutes shy of the hour Les Dogues appeared to sailing towards victory as Benoît Pedretti, from the edge of the area, quickly sent Laurent Bonnart’s layback provision to the right top corner of net. Up by two, Lille was victimized by dreadful defending with halving the margin with eighteen minutes remaining as Seydou Doumbia accepted the ball from Zoran Tošić on the left and navigated his David Rozehnal before scoring past ‘keeper Mickaël Landreau. Following a number of levelling chances come up short, with the Lille supporters voicing their disapproval of the defending breakdowns, CSKA drove a dagger through their hearts in added-time. Latching onto a attempted clearance with control outside the area, Seydou Doumbia play an sumptuous one-two with Alan Dzagoev before driving the ball into the net and closing the book on the contest as a 2-2 draw, honours even.

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Languishing in domestic play that sees them near the bottom of the Ligue 1 table, Olympique de Marseille got their Group F Champions League effort off positively with a 1-0 win over Olympiacos at Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium in Piraeus.

Coming off the disappointing loss to Stade Rennais on Sunday, l’OM manager Didier Deschamps made three changes to his starting eleven with Nicolas N’Koulou, Djimi Traoré and Morgan Amalfitano for Rod Fanni, Jordan Ayew and Mathieu Valbuena.

l’OM started quickly as coming two minutes after the opening whistle Djimi Traoré sent on Benoît Cheyrou’s corner only to see Souleymane Diawara nod the ball off-course. Chances were sparing as neither side wished to be exposed at the back but shy of the midway point of the half action started to pick up with l’OM ‘keeper Steve Mandanda making a fine stop on former Saint-Étienne man Kevin Mirallas. In rapid-fire successive Kevin Mirallas squandered a fine chance via a Djamel Abdoun cross before Morgan Amalfitano was unable to convert for l’OM via Benoît Cheyrou’s provision. With ten minutes remaining before the break the travelling Marseillais saw Benoît Cheyrou nod Jérémy Morel cross from the left wing a smidgen over the bar only to followed up two minutes later as Loïc Rémy rasp and effort off the woodwork.

Marseille, clearly riding an emotional rollercoaster given the trying start to the campaign, showed growing confidence and six minutes after the re-start took the lead they would not relinquish. Surging down the left flank past Vasilis Torosidis in a brilliant overlapping run Jérémy Morel delivered a slide run cross that Lucho González turned in from close range on the near post. The go-ahead goal was precisely the medicine the shaken l’OM needed as they were clearly in the drivers seat for the balance for the affair. Just past the hour, Benoît Cheyrou sent a probing effort from distance that pressed the host ‘keeper into action to press over the bar. Eight minutes past the hour, M. Deschamps summoned Jordan Ayew for Loïc Rémy as l’OM looked to lock down the affair, later adding Charles Kaboré for Lucho González. The one dark cloud on Marseille’s evening came in added-time as Rod Fanni, who had entered with eight minutes remaining in regulation time for Benoît Cheyrou, earned a straight red-card from match day referee Pedro Proença for his poorly timed challenge of Kevin Mirallas on the edge of the area and will now miss the 28 September encounter against Borussia Dortmund. Following three minutes of added-time, the final whistle sounded as Olympique de Marseille laid claim to the 1-0 victory.

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