Marseille bid to regain top spot

Posted Saturday, November 22, 2014 by PA

Marseille will be more determined than ever to beat Bordeaux on Sunday having lost top spot in Ligue 1 to Paris St Germain.

OM welcome Willy Sagnol's fourth-placed side to the Stade Velodrome knowing victory would take them back to the summit, which they ceded to PSG following the two-time reigning champions' 3-2 win at Metz on Friday night.

Speaking at a press conference screened on om.net, and held before PSG's game, midfielder Mario Lemina said: "If PSG are first on Friday night, that will add to our desire to win against Bordeaux on Sunday and regain top spot.

"Paris St Germain's goal is to occupy the top spot but that is also the case for us."

Coach Marcelo Bielsa expects a tough test from Les Girondins, who arrive only four points behind Marseille after winning seven of their first 13 games.

"They are a combative team, solid as a rock," Bielsa said at his press conference.

"They are difficult to play against, with lots of different tactical approaches, and have individuals who can disturb the opposition - I am thinking particularly of Wahbi Kazri."

Bielsa named his planned starting line-up during the conference, with Andre-Pierre Gignac up front despite an ankle problem, but added: "If he is not ready, Michy Batshuayi will take his place."

Baptiste Aloe is in line to replace the suspended Nicolas Nkoulou in defence, with Abdelaziz Barrada on standby as midfielder Romain Alessandrini battles an ankle problem. Andre Ayew (thigh) misses out.

Bordeaux forward Thomas Toure vowed to approach the match with Bielsa's high-fliers "calmly" as his side look to boost their push for European football.

"We know our qualities, but also theirs," the 20-year-old told girondins.com. "We will focus more on ourselves than our opponents.

"We know what we have to do to try to get a result there."

Toure scored his first Ligue 1 goal against Rennes in late September and also has three assists this season as he begins to establish himself in the team.

"Personally, I have adapted well to Ligue 1," he said. "For a first professional season, I am very content.

"Collectively, it is going well for us. The objective is to play in Europe, that is very important for us.

"The Champions League is the next level but we have to try, it would be a dream to play in this competition."