Olympique de Marseille should fancy their chances at home when they meet struggling Inter Milan in the first leg of this Champions League round of 16 tie. Join us for live scores and blog from 6:30am AEDT.
Form wise, Marseille and Inter are currently at opposite ends of the spectrum domestically.
Didier Deschamps men have won 12 of their past 15 matches and remain firmly on course to secure an automatic Champions League birth for next season.
Inter on the other hand continue to struggle in Serie A, losing 3-0 at home to Bologna last week.
The defeat to Bologna has seen Inter drop to seventh position in Serie A, meaning they are now on the verge of not qualifying for any European competition next season.
Such a predicament is astounding for Inter, given the calibre of players they possess.
With the Champions League their last remaining hope for major silverware, Claudio Ranieri’s men will need to bounce back quickly if they are to return from Marseille with a positive result.
Prediction:
Current form certainly suggests that Marseille will get the better of Inter this morning.
The Champions League however is known for its high drama and unpredictability, and Inter certainly know how to pull a result out of the fire.
In last season’s Champions League tie against Bayern Munich, Inter looked dead and buried in the second leg, trailing 2-1 before two late goals from Wesley Sneijder and Goran Pandev secured a 3-2 away victory for the Italian giants.
They will certainly need to reproduce something similar if they are to stop Marseille from taking an important advantage into the second leg in Italy.
The French outfit will target Inter’s defence as a weak point, particularly players Lucio and Julio Cesar who are prone to producing a lot of errors at the back.
Given that the likes of Lucio and Julio Cesar are down on confidence, expect Marseille to pressure the visitors early in an attempt to score an early goal.
If Marseille can hit the lead early, Inter’s confidence will take a beating which could leave them hugely vulnerable in defence.
With morale fairly low, Inter will most likely be happy with a score draw at Marseille, so expect the Serie A outfit to keep things tight in the midfield, where they will rely on Esteban Cambiasso to thwart most of Marseille’s build up play.
If Cambiasso and company can control the midfield for Inter, they may just have enough strike power in Diego Milito and Wesley Sneijder to secure a positive result away from home.
Whichever way you look at it, this promises to be a tight affair, so expect Inter to come away with a valuable 1-1 draw against Marseille.
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The Crowd Says (96) | Page 1 of Comments
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8:45am
Alan Nicolea said | 8:45am | Report comment
Thanks for joining us here on The Roar and we look forward to your company next time. Just repeating the final score:
Marseille 1
Inter 0
8:42am
Alan Nicolea said | 8:42am | Report comment
Ayew’s late show for Marseille managed to bring to life a match that had a scoreless draw written all over it. Overall however, both teams were pretty poor offensively, particularly in the second half where the lack of creativity from both sides really came to the fore. Inter though have a massive amount of work to do if they are to address their current woes infront of goal. They have failed to score in six of their past seven matches now. Claudio Ranieri’s men are under huge pressure now.
Fulltime:
Marseille 1
Inter 0
8:38am
Alan Nicolea said | 8:38am | Report comment
FULLTIME – Ayew with the last touch of the game has scored the winner here for Marseille and they will go to Italy with a narrow 1-0 advantage.
Fulltime:
Marseille 1
Inter 0
8:37am
Alan Nicolea said | 8:37am | Report comment
GOAL MARSEILLE – Ayew has scored the winner here for Marseille as he connects with a Valbuena corner.
Marseille 1
Inter 0
8:36am
Alan Nicolea said | 8:36am | Report comment
CHANCE – Ayew with a good shot from outside the box and Julio Cesar is forced to make a good save.
8:35am
Alan Nicolea said | 8:35am | Report comment
91′ – Lucio with the ball now but he produces a bad long ball that Marseille control easily.
Marseille 0
Inter 0
8:34am
Alan Nicolea said | 8:34am | Report comment
90′ – Samuel fails to find Zanetti with a long ball. Three minutes to be added on now…
Marseille 0
Inter 0
8:33am
Alan Nicolea said | 8:33am | Report comment
89′ – Cambiasso tries to orchestrate something for Inter. Chivu now with the throw-in.
Marseille 0
Inter 0
8:32am
Alan Nicolea said | 8:32am | Report comment
CHANCE – Ayew with another header but Julio Cesar once again with an easy save.
Marseille 0
Inter 0
8:32am
Alan Nicolea said | 8:32am | Report comment
88′ – Valbuena now with possession but Samuel produces a tough challenge and its a freekick for Marseille.
Marseille 0
Inter 0
8:30am
Alan Nicolea said | 8:30am | Report comment
86′ – Fanni’s cross finds Ayew who cannot keep his header down.
Marseille 0
Inter 0
8:29am
Alan Nicolea said | 8:29am | Report comment
85′ – Inter with the freekick in the midfield taken by Samuel.
Marseille 0
Inter 0
8:28am
Alan Nicolea said | 8:28am | Report comment
84′ – Fanni’s pass goes out and Inter win the throw. Some real lack of quality here with the passing from both sides.
Marseille 0
Inter 0
8:27am
Alan Nicolea said | 8:27am | Report comment
SUBSTITUTION – Kabore comes on for Cheyrou.
8:26am
Alan Nicolea said | 8:26am | Report comment
82′ – Valbuena with a classy backheel. Inter however regroup in defence and Marseille win the throw.
Marseille 0
Inter 0
8:25am
Alan Nicolea said | 8:25am | Report comment
81′ – Sneijder with a nice ball finds Nagatomo who fails to control the ball in the box. Goalkick for Marseille.
Marseille 0
Inter 0
8:25am
Alan Nicolea said | 8:25am | Report comment
81′ – Valbuena is down injured. Now Inter regain possession from the drop ball.
Marseille 0
Inter 0
8:23am
Alan Nicolea said | 8:23am | Report comment
79′ – This match is really lacking some spark at the moment from both sides. Fanni now comes on for Azpilcueta.
Marseille 0
Inter 0
8:22am
Alan Nicolea said | 8:22am | Report comment
CHANCE – Ayew’s header goes wide despite a good cross from Amalfitano.
Marseille 0
Inter 0
8:21am
Alan Nicolea said | 8:21am | Report comment
77′ – Marseille now with a freekick.
Marseille 0
Inter 0
8:20am
Alan Nicolea said | 8:20am | Report comment
75′ – Zanetti wins a throw for Inter deep in Marseille territory. Valbuena now with possession for Marseille.
Marseille 0
Inter 0
8:18am
Alan Nicolea said | 8:18am | Report comment
74′ – Forlan is fouled and Inter gain possession in the midfield.
Marseille 0
Inter 0
8:18am
Alan Nicolea said | 8:18am | Report comment
CHANCE – Sneijder with a good delivery from the freekick and he finds Stankovic, who shoots right into the arms of Mandanda.
Marseille 0
Inter 0
8:17am
Alan Nicolea said | 8:17am | Report comment
SUBSTITUTION – Brandao makes way for J. Ayew
8:16am
Alan Nicolea said | 8:16am | Report comment
72′ – Inter with possession now with Cambiasso who finds Obi. The Nigerian however gives away a freekick and Marseille can rebuild from the back.
Marseille 0
Inter 0
8:15am
Alan Nicolea said | 8:15am | Report comment
71′ – N’Koulou goes on a run down field for Marseille but Nagatomo is fouled and wins the freekick for Inter.
Marseille 0
Inter 0
8:14am
Alan Nicolea said | 8:14am | Report comment
70′ – Inter now with possession but Azipilcueta clears for Marseille.
Marseille 0
Inter 0
8:12am
Alan Nicolea said | 8:12am | Report comment
68′ – Marseille now with possession but Zanetti wins the ball back and is fouled.
Marseille 0
Inter 0
8:11am
Alan Nicolea said | 8:11am | Report comment
67′ – Cheyrou with a cross but Stankovic heads it clear.
Marseille 0
Inter 0
8:10am
Alan Nicolea said | 8:10am | Report comment
66′ – Marseille win a freekick but both teams look void of creativity at the moment.
Marseille 0
Inter 0
8:09am
Alan Nicolea said | 8:09am | Report comment
65′ – Forlan loses possession but a poor clearance from Mandanda forces Azipilcueta to concede the throw.
Marseille 0
Inter 0
8:08am
Alan Nicolea said | 8:08am | Report comment
64′ – Sneijder with the freekick but Marseille defend well and win a goalkick.
Marseille 0
Inter 0
8:07am
Alan Nicolea said | 8:07am | Report comment
SUBSTITUTION – Zarate makes way for Obi Mikel.
Marseille 0
Inter 0
8:07am
Alan Nicolea said | 8:07am | Report comment
62′ – Valbuena with a cross and finds Morel. Morel’s shot goes wide and its a goalkick for Inter.
Marseille 0
Inter 0
8:04am
Alan Nicolea said | 8:04am | Report comment
60′ – Inter get a goalkick as both teams struggle to create opportunities here.
Marseille 0
Inter 0
8:03am
Alan Nicolea said | 8:03am | Report comment
59′ – Zarate now gets a yellow card.
Marseille 0
Inter 0
8:03am
Alan Nicolea said | 8:03am | Report comment
59′ – Cambiasso’s pass is intercepted but Inter regain possession with Forlan.
Marseille 0
Inter 0
8:01am
Alan Nicolea said | 8:01am | Report comment
57′ – Stankovic gets a yellow card.
8:01am
Alan Nicolea said | 8:01am | Report comment
57′ – Marseille now build in attack but Morel’s cross is dealt with by Inter’s defence.
Marseille 0
Inter 0
7:59am
Alan Nicolea said | 7:59am | Report comment
55′ – Cambiasso and Forlan combine nicely and Inter build in attack. A poor cross however sees Marseille win a goalkick.
Marseille 0
Inter 0
7:58am
Alan Nicolea said | 7:58am | Report comment
54′ – Valbuena is fouled by Stankovic and Marseille get the freekick.
Marseille 0
Inter 0
7:58am
Alan Nicolea said | 7:58am | Report comment
54′ – Good buildup play here from Marseille but Nagatomo clears for Inter.
Marseille 0
Inter 0
7:56am
Alan Nicolea said | 7:56am | Report comment
52- – Forlan finds Nagatomo and goes down on a long run. Marseille however get possession back and they go on to win a corner.
Marseille 0
Inter 0
7:55am
Alan Nicolea said | 7:55am | Report comment
51′ – Forlan in an offside position despite a good ball from Sneijder.
Marseille 0
Inter 0
7:54am
Alan Nicolea said | 7:54am | Report comment
50′ – Sneijder fails to find Forlan and Marseille go on the attack. Cambiasso clears for Inter.
Marseille 0
Inter 0
7:53am
Alan Nicolea said | 7:53am | Report comment
49′ – Marseille win a corner. Valbuena delivers and Inter nearly make a mess of things inside the box. The ball eventually goes out for a goalkick.
Marseille 0
Inter 0
7:52am
Alan Nicolea said | 7:52am | Report comment
48′ – Brandao with a header but Julio Cesar saves easily here.
Marseille 0
Inter 0
7:51am
Alan Nicolea said | 7:51am | Report comment
47′ – Sneijder finds Nagatomo but his cross finds Mandanda.
Marseille 0
Inter 0
7:50am
Alan Nicolea said | 7:50am | Report comment
46′ – Marseille with the throw now and they clear.
Marseille 0
Inter 0
7:49am
Alan Nicolea said | 7:49am | Report comment
SUBSTITUTION – Nagatomo comes on for Maicon here. Second half begins.
Marseille 0
Inter 0
7:46am
Alan Nicolea said | 7:46am | Report comment
Second half to begin shortly…
Marseille 0
Inter 0
7:36am
Alan Nicolea said | 7:36am | Report comment
Cambiasso and Sneijder have looked the most likely for Inter in attack, both combining well on occasions to create opportunities for the likes of Forlan and Zarate. Marseille on the other hand have only had the one good opportunity and that came from a Valbuena freekick.
Halftime:
Marseille 0
Inter 0
7:33am
Alan Nicolea said | 7:33am | Report comment
HALFTIME – Inter have looked the better side here but both teams are struggling to find a breakthrough. Marseille pressured well early on but Inter are holding their own in defence.
Marseille 0
Inter 0
7:31am
Alan Nicolea said | 7:31am | Report comment
45′ – Cambiasso with a good lob and finds Zarate. The Argentine however loses possession again and Marseille go on the attack.
Marseille 0
Inter 0
7:30am
Alan Nicolea said | 7:30am | Report comment
43′ – Lucio intercepts and finds Forlan who then finds Cambiasso. The Argentine’s shot however is blocked and Mandanda gets possession.
Marseille 0
Inter 0
7:28am
Alan Nicolea said | 7:28am | Report comment
42′ – Cheyrou with a poor freekick yet again and Inter get possession.
Marseille 0
Inter 0
7:27am
Alan Nicolea said | 7:27am | Report comment
40′ – Sneijder with a poor ball and Marseille go on the attack. Marseille then win a freekick in a dangerous area after Brandao is fouled.
Marseille 0
Inter 0
7:26am
Alan Nicolea said | 7:26am | Report comment
39′ – Zarate once again loses possession too easily here for Inter. Marseille now build but Inter win a freekick.
Marseille 0
Inter 0
7:24am
Alan Nicolea said | 7:24am | Report comment
38′ – Zanetti is fouled and Inter can regroup from the back again.
Marseille 0
Inter 0
7:23am
Alan Nicolea said | 7:23am | Report comment
CHANCE – Sneijder opens up the Marseille defence with a nice pass to Cambiasso who finds Zarate in the box. The Argentine however produces a weak shot and Mandanda saves comfortably.
Marseille 0
Inter 0
7:22am
Alan Nicolea said | 7:22am | Report comment
35′ Morel’s attempted cross is blocked by Zanetti.
Marseille 0
Inter 0
7:21am
Alan Nicolea said | 7:21am | Report comment
34′ – Zarate one on one with Azipilcueta but the Marseille defender wins out here.
Marseille 0
Inter 0
7:20am
Alan Nicolea said | 7:20am | Report comment
33′ – Sneijder loses possession cheaply and Marseille now build from the back.
Marseille 0
Inter 0
7:19am
Alan Nicolea said | 7:19am | Report comment
33′ – Maicon is fouled trying to run the ball out of Inter’s half and he wins the freekick.
Marseille 0
Inter 0
7:17am
Alan Nicolea said | 7:17am | Report comment
31′ – Forlan is offside and Mandanda now appears to be hurt.
Marseille 0
Inter 0
7:16am
Alan Nicolea said | 7:16am | Report comment
CHANCE – How did Marseille not score here? Valbuena with a terrific ball into the area and Diawara fails to find the net. Inter now clear.
Marseille 0
Inter 0
7:15am
Alan Nicolea said | 7:15am | Report comment
29′ – Marseille now with a freekick of their own in Inter’s half.
Marseille 0
Inter 0
7:14am
Alan Nicolea said | 7:14am | Report comment
28′ – Sneijder’s freekick hits the wall but Zanetti finds Cambiasso who heads straight to Mandanda. The Argentine was offside though.
Marseille 0
Inter 0
7:13am
Alan Nicolea said | 7:13am | Report comment
27′ – Inter go on the counter attack as Sneijder finds Zarate outwide. The Argentine then wins a freekick in a dangerous area for Inter.
Marseille 0
Inter 0
7:11am
Alan Nicolea said | 7:11am | Report comment
25′ – Cambiasso fails to find Zarate with the cross and Mandanda is able to clear for Marseille.
Marseille 0
Inter 0
7:10am
Alan Nicolea said | 7:10am | Report comment
24′ – The match is now at a stalemate here as Inter and Marseille struggle to keep possession.
Marseille 0
Inter 0
7:09am
Alan Nicolea said | 7:09am | Report comment
22′ – Stankovic wins a freekick for Inter.
Marseille 0
Inter 0
7:08am
Alan Nicolea said | 7:08am | Report comment
21′ – Inter’s attack comes to nothing as Stankovic loses possession. Lucio then deals with a cross but Marseille win the throw.
Marseille 0
Inter 0
7:07am
Alan Nicolea said | 7:07am | Report comment
20′ – Maicon is fouled in midfield and Inter get the freekick.
Marseille 0
Inter 0
7:06am
Alan Nicolea said | 7:06am | Report comment
CHANCE – Azpilicueta with a good shot from distance but it just goes over the bar.
Marseille 0
Inter 0
7:04am
Alan Nicolea said | 7:04am | Report comment
18′ – Morel with a shot from distance but it goes out harmlessly for a goalkick for Inter.
Marseille 0
Inter 0
7:03am
Alan Nicolea said | 7:03am | Report comment
17′ – Marseille win a corner now and they have taken it quickly. Brandao’s cross however is blocked.
Marseille 0
Inter 0
7:02am
Alan Nicolea said | 7:02am | Report comment
16′ – Zanetti chases the ball down brilliantly and nearly finds Zarate with a low cross.
Marseille 0
Inter 0
7:01am
Alan Nicolea said | 7:01am | Report comment
15′ – Julio Cesar intercepts a cross and Inter can regroup in defence.
Marseille 0
Inter 0
7:00am
Alan Nicolea said | 7:00am | Report comment
14′ – Goalkick now for Inter and Maicon has possession.
Marseille 0
Inter 0
6:59am
Alan Nicolea said | 6:59am | Report comment
13′ – Lucio concedes another throw deep in Inter territory. Valbuena with the ball now.
Marseille 0
Inter 0
6:58am
Alan Nicolea said | 6:58am | Report comment
11′ – Inter with the throw now but Marseille win a freekick.
Marseille 0
Inter 0
6:57am
Alan Nicolea said | 6:57am | Report comment
CHANCE – Mandanda with a terrific save here as Forlan shoots from inside the box. Great buildup play by Sneijder, Zarate and Cambiasso here for Inter. Its now a goalkick for Marseille.
Marseille 0
Inter 0
6:56am
Alan Nicolea said | 6:56am | Report comment
9′ – Cambiasso fails to find Forlan who was free upfront for Inter.
Marseille 0
Inter 0
6:55am
Alan Nicolea said | 6:55am | Report comment
9′ – Lucio with a wasteful long ball. Marseille now get a freekick.
Marseille 0
Inter 0
6:54am
Alan Nicolea said | 6:54am | Report comment
8′ – Stankovic with a bad ball and its a throw for Marseille.
Marseille 0
Inter 0
6:53am
Alan Nicolea said | 6:53am | Report comment
7′ – Forlan wins a throw for Inter but they are still trapped in their own half.
Marseille 0
Inter 0
6:52am
Alan Nicolea said | 6:52am | Report comment
5′ – Marseille dominating possession and territory here. Zarate however breaks for Inter but loses possession.
Marseille 0
Inter 0
6:51am
Alan Nicolea said | 6:51am | Report comment
4′ – Cheyrou with a freekick that hits the wall and Inter can regroup now.
Marseille 0
Inter 0
6:50am
Alan Nicolea said | 6:50am | Report comment
Zarate with the foul and its a freekick now for Marseille in a dangerous area.
Marseille 0
Inter 0
6:49am
Alan Nicolea said | 6:49am | Report comment
3′ – Marseille controlling possession well in the midfield. Corner now for the home side.
Marseille 0
Inter 0
6:47am
Alan Nicolea said | 6:47am | Report comment
1′ – Maicon is fouled and its a freekick for Inter
Marseille 0
Inter 0
6:46am
Alan Nicolea said | 6:46am | Report comment
KICKOFF – Marseille with possession.
Marseille 0
Inter 0
6:45am
Alan Nicolea said | 6:45am | Report comment
Both teams warming up now…
Marseille 0
Inter 0
6:43am
Alan Nicolea said | 6:43am | Report comment
Both teams make their way on to a packed Stade Velodrome in Marseille.
6:34am
Alan Nicolea said | 6:34am | Report comment
Welcome to this live blog covering the Champions League round of 16 clash against Marseille and Inter Milan. Marseille are the better team on form while Inter are now struggling in Serie A. Can the French hosts take advantage of Inter’s struggles or will the Italian giants rediscover their big game temperment. Here are the updated team changes for both sides:
Marseille (4-2-3-1): Mandanda; Azpilicueta, N’Koulou, Morel, Diawara; Diarra, Cheyrou; Amalfitano, Valbuena; Brandao, A Ayew.
Subs: Bracigliano, Traore, Fanni, Sabo, Kabore, Gignac, J Ayew.
Inter (4-3-1-2): Julio Cesar; Maicon, Lucio, Samuel, Chivu; Zanetti, Stankovic, Cambiasso; Sneijder; Forlan, Zarate.
Subs: Castellazzi, Ranocchia, Nagatomo, Poli, Obi, Pazzini, Milito.