Ayew: We must win

Posted Tuesday, October 19, 2010 by PA

Winger Andre Ayew remains confident Marseille can still qualify for the knockout stages of the Champions League but accepts three points against MSK Zilina is a must.

Didier Deschamps' men have lost both matches in Group F - at home to Spartak Moscow and away to Chelsea - and need to see off the Slovakian side to return to the race for a top-two finish.

Ayew is aware the pressure is on but is optimistic the Ligue 1 champions have the quality to succeed.

He told www.ligue1.fr: "We haven't made the best of starts to the Champions League and now we need the points and we're going to need those points against Zilina, who will also be looking for a result, because they lost their two opening games as well.

"We'll go into the game as favourites but it's still going to be a tough match. Everyone will have plenty of motivation and desire.

"We must win this game. We want to do something in the Champions League this season and we're playing at home in front of our supporters. Hopefully we can do it."

As for qualification for the next stage, he added: "It's not over yet. There's still a chance to qualify so we need to believe in our abilities, believe in the coach and believe in our potential too.

"We have a great squad of experienced players and young players, so yes, we can still qualify but it's going to be very difficult and very tough to get good results against everybody, but we still believe in ourselves.

"We're going to keep on fighting and I hope we're going to make it."

Zilina, like Marseille, are likely to see this match as a chance to pick up points after defeats to Chelsea and Spartak but midfielder Emil Rilke has warned it will be another tough game at the Stade Velodrome.

He said: "We certainly don't view Marseille as an easier opponent. At this stage of the Champions League all the teams are very strong.

"I would be very happy to take a point in France and score a goal."