Marseille not underestimating Inter Milan

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Wednesday, February 22 2012 by SNTV

Intro:

Marseille coach Didier Deschamps is taking nothing for granted as his side prepare for the visit of Inter Milan to the Stade Velodrome on Wendnesday night in the first leg of the Champions League last 16.

Despite his own side's recent run of 15 games without defeat and Inter's contrasting fortunes - the 'Nerazzurri' (Black and Blues) have lost five of their last six matches, conceding 15 goals in the process - Deschamps was at pains to warn both his own players and the wider public that Inter will be no pushover in such a crucial game.

After all, Inter won the competition as recently as 2010, beating both Barcelona and Bayern Munich along the way.

Script:

Marseille coach Didier Deschamps put his squad through a light training session on Tuesday, just 24 hours before they take on Inter Milan at the Stade Velodrome in the first leg of their Champions League last 16 tie.

They come into the tie on the back of an impressive wave of form - unbeaten in 15 games.

And although striker Loic Remy will miss the match because of a thigh injury, the Marseille faithful will be hoping for a positive result to take back to the San Siro on March 13th.

However, Deschamps was keen to calm expectations on the eve of the game, pointing out that the current Inter side bears strong similarities to the team which won the Champions League just two years ago.

SOUNDBITE: (French)

Didier Deschamps, Marseille coach:

"They have great players, all internationals. They can hurt us with their offensive line-up: Milito, Sneijder, Pazzini, Forlan, Zarate.

Individually, they're capable of everything," he said.

Deschamps, perhaps, is in danger of flattering an Inter team which has lost five of their last six matches, conceding 15 goals along the way.

The 'Nerazzurri' have dropped out of the Serie A title race and been dumped out of the Coppa d'Italia.

But Deschamps is cautious Inter might use Wednesday night's game as a chance to relieve their domestic woes.