Marseille playing to win against Bayern

28 March 2012 03:02

Didier Deschamps has rejected the notion it will be a 'miracle' if Marseille beat Bayern Munich in the Champions League on Wednesday.

The Marseille boss admitted Bayern will start the Stade Velodrome clash as favourites, but is confident his side can be competitive in the first leg of their quarter-final clash.

The sides have never met in any competition, but Bayern head into the match having lost only two of their past eight outings in this season's Champions League.

"I would not say a miracle, but it's obvious Bayern are favourites, as they are one of a number of UEFA Champions League winners, so we came back in the same configuration as we were against Inter, against a team which is actually on a get run, which was not the case of Inter Milan," Deschamps said on Tuesday.

"Anyway we must play two great games, and make two exploits on the first and second legs. But you know even if we were in good shape, it would have been the same deal for us. There is still a lot of imbalance and differences between a club like Bayern and us, for example when they start a new competition they always look for a final win."

Deschamps said it will be a matter of converting opportunities that fall their way against the disciplined Bundesliga side.

"We wanted to reach the round of 16, so we went through, and now we are happy and have the great honour to play this game against Bayern. We will have our chances but we have to play at 100 percent," he said.

Deschamps has confirmed third-choice goalkeeper Elinton Andrade will deputise for Steve Mandanda, who is unavailable after being sent off in their round-of-16 second-leg loss to Inter Milan.

The coach said second-choice keeper Gennaro Bracigliano will be on the bench, after putting in a questionable performance in Marseille's 3-2 loss to Quevilly in the Coupe de France.