The Malaysian Insider :: Sports
The Malaysian Insider :: Sports |
| Marseille suffer derby woe as Champs League hopes fade Posted: 07 Mar 2014 02:34 PM PST Marseille coach Jose Anigo had complained before the game about the quick turnaround just 48 hours after Wednesday's international friendlies. And his fears proved justified as the former European champions produced a poor display and fell to Valentin Eysseric's sumptuous 66th-minute free-kick. But he insisted the lack of suspended striker Andre-Pierre Gignac played a greater role. "We knew it would be like this, a lot of players only came back yesterday (Thursday). That penalised us but Andre-Pierre Gignac missing was a factor," Anigo told Canal Plus Sport. "We're not dependent on one player but with our system he's important and when he's not there it's difficult to replace him." The result left Marseille six points off third place and the final Champions League qualifying position, while depending on other results this weekend they could drop as low as seventh by tomorrow night. For Nice, who last season were battling for a place in the top three, this much-needed victory eased their relegation concerns and pushed them up to 11th for the time being, and 12 points clear of the drop zone. It was their third win over their neighbours this season after a 1-0 success at home in the league and 5-4 win in the cup. "This win here is not undeserved. We created chances, we let the storm pass in the first half and we weren't in danger in the second half," said Nice coach Claude Puel. "We've had so many disappointments (this season), so many matches that ended badly that it's important finally for this group to earn their reward." Although Marseille, who were missing first choice forward Andre-Pierre Gignac, dominated for long spells of the game, particularly in the first half, Nice arguably had the best chances. Dario Cvitanich snatched at an opportunity presented to him in the first 20 seconds following an appalling back pass from Andre Ayew, firing well over. And on the stroke of half-time Eric Bautheac lost his cool when presented with a sight of goal from 12 yards, volleying well over the bar. In between, the hosts kept Nice goalkeeper David Ospina busy with efforts from distance, although he never looked like being beaten. He saved two efforts from Dimitri Payet and one each from Ayew and Florian Thauvin, who also headed another chance wide while Benoit Cheyrou was also off target with a speculative shot. Substitute Saber Khelifa came closest after the break for Marseille but Ospina was once again equal to a rare shot on target. – AFP, March 8, 2014. |
| Messi vomiting not normal, Barcelona coach Martino says Posted: 07 Mar 2014 08:15 AM PST Messi was sick during Argentina's 0-0 draw with Romania on Wednesday and the four-times World Player of the Year said it was something that had occurred several times at Barca but was nothing to be concerned about. "It happens to him regularly and he has even gone to see specialists at certain times," Martino told a news conference ahead of Barca's La Liga game at Real Valladolid tomorrow. "They haven't solved the problem but it isn't a cause for concern. It doesn't affect him at all in terms of doing his job," he added. Champions Barca, chasing a fifth title in six years, can pull two points clear of Real Madrid at the top with a win at Valladolid, who are battling relegation down in 18th. Real are at home to eighth-placed Levante on Sunday, while Atletico Madrid, three points off the top in third, play at Celta Vigo, who are 11th, tomorrow. Martino has Gerard Pique back after the Spain defender was declared fit by club medical staff today. He missed the world and European champions' 1-0 win at home to Italy on Wednesday due to a minor calf problem. With an eye on Barca's packed calendar in March, including Wednesday's Champions League last 16, second leg against Manchester City, Martino said he had decided to rest left back Jordi Alba for the Valladolid trip. Alba was out for more than two months with a hamstring injury before Christmas and was briefly sidelined by a similar thigh problem last month. Barca lead City 2-0 from the first leg. – Reuters, March 7, 2014. |
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