MUNICH — Marseille have a big challenge before them when they travel to Bayern Munich for their Champions League quarter-final second leg tonight.
The Ligue 1 team trail 2-0 after their home leg, and need to beat their German opponents — who have won their past seven in all competitions — by at least two goals at the Allianz Arena.
The last time Bayern lost by two goals at home was to Borussia Dortmund in February last year, a season in which Jurgen Klopp’s men went on to win the title.
Bayern midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger said the club was hungry for success on the European stage.
“At the moment, there’s total desire in the team, and all credit for that,” Schweinsteiger said.
“We have to make the most of our good position in the Champions League today thanks to victory in Marseille.”
Munich are within reaching distance of a rare home Champions League final appearance, as the venue for the decider has already been allocated to the Allianz Arena.
It is fair to say Bayern will already be thinking of playing Real Madrid — most likely — in the semi-finals of the competition, given Marseille have lost eight of their past nine matches in all competitions. Five league losses, two defeats in the Champions League and a Coupe de France exit has seen Didier Deschamps’ team robbed of any momentum heading into the latter stages of the season.
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Marseille midfielder Alou Diarra, who is suspended for the leg in Germany, said Bayern’s elder statesmen led the way in the first-leg victory.
“You could say experience was the difference,” he said.
Diarra added Marseille have no expectations of advancing into the final four.
“We have nothing left to lose,” Diarra said. “It’s not mission impossible. We scored three in Dortmund in the group stage. Bayern drop very few points at home, so it will take a big performance, but we know we have the ability to cause them problems.” The winner of the Marseille-Bayern tie will take on the victor in the Real Madrid-APOEL Nicosia fixture, with the La Liga powerhouse favoured to progress at home after winning the opening away leg 3-0.
Did you know? Bayern Munich have won their last nine home games in all competitions, scoring 32 and conceding four goals. The Bavarians have committed 140 fouls in this season’s edition of the Champions League; the most of any other team in the quarter-finals. Mario Gomez has scored 38 goals in his last 41 games for club and country. Olympique de Marseille won in Germany this season, beating Borussia Dortmund 3-2. Les Phoceens have lost three out of four European ties, in which they have suffered defeat in the first leg. Didier Deschamps was part of the Juventus team that lost the 1998 Champions League final to Jupp Heynckes’ Real Madrid. — Soccerway
