The report of a missed reunion with the Champions League has been drawn up for two weeks already.
And without a welcome burst of pride at home against Olympiakos last Tuesday (2-1), this trip to Manchester City would have greatly lacked interest for the Marseillais who have already been eliminated.
But after four defeats in a row, the Phocéens offered themselves a last-ditch hope, even a little, to be transferred to the Europa League, a competition ultimately up to OM.
To do so, the equation is simple: Marseille must do better than Olympiakos, which at the same time receives an already qualified FC Porto.
"We know very well that we do not have our destiny in our hands but we know that we must win, summed up Steve Mandanda at a press conference on Tuesday.
We have to finish well in this competition especially since there is a possibility of playing in the Europa League, even if initially that was not the objective but hey we are there. "
Monaco and Rennes are on the horizon
The goal, now, would it not be to focus on the championship to return to the Champions League next year?
Currently fourth in Ligue 1 (four points behind Paris), OM is also virtually the leader with their two late matches at the Vélodrome (against Lens and Nice).
And two big posters against direct competitors will follow one another after the trip across the Channel: against Monaco on Saturday (5 p.m.) and in Rennes in a week.
"We must first see if we qualify but yes it's true that it's hard to play in Europa and Ligue 1," conceded André Villas-Boas on Tuesday.
If OM had offered an enchanted parenthesis in the Europa League, reaching the final in 2018, Dimitri Payet and company had left strength and let slip the third place of the championship synonymous with the Champions League for a small point in favor of the rival Lyonnais.
So, on three victories in a row, a series increased to five in the league, Steve Mandanda's partners will be especially careful not to stop on such a good path in Ligue 1. “You really have to show a good image of the club with the latter. match even if we know that it will be very difficult to pocket the 3 points there ”, confided the captain.
Without posing as victims, the Olympians know that their future seems tied up in Europe, and that their honor is safe.
>> READ ALSO - Champions League: The possible scenarios in the mad group of Real Madrid
>> READ ALSO - Champions League: prodigies Joao Felix and Szoboszlai aim for the 8th
Guardiola will spin
Opposite, Manchester City of Pep Guardiola has already secured its first place in Group C after its draw in Porto (0-0).
And a major Manchester derby is looming on Saturday (6.30 p.m.).
"This match is important for them in order to try to qualify for the Europa League, assured Guardiola on Tuesday, but it is just as important for us in terms of prestige and confidence."
The Catalan, who has "a lot of respect" for his counterpart Villas-Boas, has strived to maintain around this match a semblance of prestige which is imperfectly reflected in the team he should align at the Etihad Stadium.
Several changes are expected in his starting XI, starting with his goalkeeper: American Zack Steffen, who has only played two League Cup games for the
Skyblues
so far.
“I remember watching the Champions League for a very long time, remembered the goalkeeper of the American selection.
Hearing the music of the competition is going to be special for me and my family. ”
A match all the more unique for Steffen, who will meet Steven Mandanda there: “Playing against Steve Mandanda will be special.
He was one of my idols when I was a child, he recalled.
He was fun to watch and made big saves when asked and that is the most important. ”
But Manchester City are still scary.
And in the game of modesty, André Villas-Boas will have the last word: “City will apparently make changes, but even the B team is competitive.
The second team can win the C1 on its own. "
Read also
Champions League rankings