Deschamps dismisses Arsenal form

Marseille coach Didier Deschamps believes Arsenal’s poor domestic form is irrelevant as the two sides prepare to meet in the Champions League.

Arsenal are 10th in the English Premier League, while in France Marseille are even worse off – 15th in Ligue 1 with just one win.

But Deschamps’ men have two wins from two in the Champions League, topping Group F by two points from Arsenal, and he says his players are less nervous playing in Europe than in the French league.

“I do not think that to compare our situation in the Championship as theirs helps to know which team is going to win or not,” Deschamps said.

“Arsenal has lost many important players but remains a team with really good offensive players.”

“About our bad start in the Championship, we must win from now, especially at home. We do have a pressure in the Championship we do not have in the Champion League – the players are probably less nervous.”

Marseille take on Arsenal at the Stade Velodrome on Wednesday night, and Deschamps believes taking full points at home is imperative to his team, who face back-to-back matches against Arsenal.

“We have to play two games against Arsenal, a team which is of course the favourite of the group,” he said.

“There are six points to grab and it can be decisive before the last two matches.”

“The only advantage we have is that we have got six points, they have got four. After the match tomorrow we will know more about the situation, there will be one game less to play.”

“If we have the chance to win tomorrow, it would be so great for us. It would not mean we would be qualified but it would put us into a nice position.”

View the original article here

Deschamps laughs off Marseille exit talk

Marseille manager Didier Deschamps has scoffed at suggestions he is planning to leave the French club at the end of the season.

Deschamps steered Marseille to their first Ligue 1 title in 18 years last season – his first in charge – and the club are within touching distance of repeating as champions as the 2010-11 campaign draws to a close.

Marseille are second on the table, four points behind leaders Lille with nine games left in the season, and have nothing but their domestic campaign to focus on after being eliminated from the Champions League by Chelsea.

It would seem all is well at the Stade Velodrome under Deschamps, but unrest in Serie A has prompted whispers the 42-year-old could be making a return to Italy.

His former club Juventus are believed to be ready to part ways with Luigi Delneri and could make Deschamps an attractive offer, while Roma are looking for a permanent replacement for caretaker boss Vincenzo Montella following Claudio Ranieri’s resignation.

But the former France international has laughed off the rumours of his impending exit, saying he is already making plans for Marseille’s 2011-12 campaign.

“I’ve already started planning for next year, because that’s my job,” Deschamps said.

“All this speculation about who will move where makes me laugh. Today, I’m 100 percent at Marseille, and will be tomorrow and the day after tomorrow.”

“There’s really no reason for these rumours. I’ll draw my own conclusions at the end of the season depending on our position.”

English Premier League teams Chelsea and Liverpool are also believed to be in the mix for Deschamps’ services, with Carlo Ancelotti rumoured to be returning to Italy and Kenny Dalglish no certainty to remain at Anfield either.

Mon 4 April, 2011

Deschamps laughs off Marseille exit talk

Marseille manager Didier Deschamps has scoffed at suggestions he is planning to leave the French club at the end of the season.

Deschamps steered Marseille to their first Ligue 1 title in 18 years last season – his first in charge – and the club are within touching distance of repeating as champions as the 2010-11 campaign draws to a close.

Marseille are second on the table, four points behind leaders Lille with nine games left in the season, and have nothing but their domestic campaign to focus on after being eliminated from the Champions League by Chelsea.

It would seem all is well at the Stade Velodrome under Deschamps, but unrest in Serie A has prompted whispers the 42-year-old could be making a return to Italy.

His former club Juventus are believed to be ready to part ways with Luigi Delneri and could make Deschamps an attractive offer, while Roma are looking for a permanent replacement for caretaker boss Vincenzo Montella following Claudio Ranieri’s resignation.

But the former France international has laughed off the rumours of his impending exit, saying he is already making plans for Marseille’s 2011-12 campaign.

“I’ve already started planning for next year, because that’s my job,” Deschamps said.

“All this speculation about who will move where makes me laugh. Today, I’m 100 percent at Marseille, and will be tomorrow and the day after tomorrow.”

“There’s really no reason for these rumours. I’ll draw my own conclusions at the end of the season depending on our position.”

English Premier League teams Chelsea and Liverpool are also believed to be in the mix for Deschamps’ services, with Carlo Ancelotti rumoured to be returning to Italy and Kenny Dalglish no certainty to remain at Anfield either.

Mon 4 April, 2011