Monaco - Marseille preview - Marseille may be victims of timing



Posted Saturday, December 13, 2014 by PA

Ligue 1 leaders Marseille may have cause to regret the timing of Sunday's trip to Monaco, with the principality club finding some form after a poor start to the season.

Marseille head into the weekend's fixtures under pressure from both Paris St Germain and Lyon, and recent results mean a match against Monaco looks considerably tougher than it did a few weeks ago.

Monaco have won three games in a row, climbing up to seventh in the table and topping their Champions League group after victory over Zenit St Petersburg in the final round of matches.

"They are one of the best teams in the league," Marseille coach Marcelo Bielsa said in his pre-match press conference. "They are better than they were early in the season, they have solved their problems.

"All teams have their ups and downs. They had theirs early in the season."

Prior to the 2-0 win over Zenit in midweek, Monaco had enjoyed Ligue 1 victories over Toulouse and Lens in their previous two outings and Portuguese midfielder Joao Moutinho believes they have turned the corner after their early season struggles.

"We're playing well as a team," he said. "The three victories have given us confidence. The important thing is we are all playing for the team and not as individuals. Each victory gives us more confidence."

The recent revival has sparked optimism that they might once again be able to claim a place in Europe, having finished second to PSG last season.

"Everything is still possible in this championship," Moutinho added. "We will see later in the season. We always hope to be at the top."

Although confidence has returned to Monaco, if there is one thing which could work in Marseille's favour given the timing of this match is Monaco's injury list.

Ricardo Carvalho and Dimitar Berbatov are among six players out injured, with Layvin Kurzawa, Geoffrey Kondogbia, Elderson Echiejile and Jeremy Toulalan the others.



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