It’s not been an easy season for Auxerre. After charging into the Champions League at the last moment in May, they found juggling domestic and European responsibilities difficult, not helped by an injury epidemic that decimated their squad. They find themselves in the Coupe de la Ligue semi-final, nevertheless, and will be keen to bustle their way to the Stade de France for April’s final.
The manner in which the hosts will play is easily predicted. AJA will purposefully try to draw Marseille out of their half and counterattack swiftly. This is a ploy frequently used by Jean Fernandez, who nearly got this tactic to work so brilliantly in the league meeting between the sides.
On a quick counter just before half-time, Julien Querica got clear, inducing a foul from Stephane Mbia that brought the defender a red card and won the hosts a penalty. Thereafter, AJA showed one of their less attractive traits: an inability to break teams down.
Fernandez was left to rue missed chances in the weekend’s draw with Monaco, whom they constantly caught out with their quick attacking play. “It’s a match that leaves a lot of regrets given the way it went,” he explained, Ligue 1’s official side reports. “We had a massive amount of chances in the first half. We were just lacking that second goal tonight.
“In the second half, we took our foot off the pedal a bit, and Monaco took advantage to win a lot of possession in midfield.”
The fact that Auxerre have drawn 12 of their 20 league games makes for uncomfortable reading for the former Marseille boss, who has grumbled that his team are conceding too frequently. Despite their holes at the back, AJA still have an ability to keep games tight, which will be valuable on Wednesday night.
Back On Track At Last
French champions Olympique de Marseille have endured a mixed season to date. Didier Deschamps’ side are fifth in the league standings at present – well below where they would hope to be just after the halfway point – but are still involved in the Champions League and are still in with a shout of retaining the Coupe de la Ligue.
This competition was kind to OM last season, allowing the Provence side to overcome a well established mental barrier that prevented them from being successful. Les Phoceens had gone nearly 20 years without any silverware prior to a 3-1 victory over Girondins de Bordeaux at the Stade de France, which hasten the capitulation of les Marine et Blanc and ushered Marseille in to become Ligue 1 champions.
It was Bordeaux who were the last visitors to the Stade Velodrome on league duty too. After enduring a disappointing winless streak of six matches domestically, including a defeat against Ligue 2 Evian in the Coupe de France, OM looked a stronger force, finally coming through to win 2-1.
“It was difficult, though, towards the end of the match, and we should have done better in terms of controlling it, especially in the second half when we lost the ball too much,” Deschamps told Canal+ after Sunday night’s victory.
Heartening for les Phoceens were goals from Andre-Pierre Gignac and Brandao, who have both toiled to find any form this season. If this pair can continue finding the net, keep a close eye on the men from the south.
TEAM NEWS
Auxerre
Jean Fernandez continues to miss five players. Alexandre Licata and Yaya Sanogo are both long-term complaints, while there is no return for Delvin N’Dinga as yet. Additionally, Jean-Pascal Mignot is sidelined due to injury. Roy Contout is absent again because of illness.
Marseille
Didier Deschamps is sweating over the fitness of centre-backs Stephane Mbia and Gabriel Heinze. On the other hand, Hilton could make his return to the team. Cesar Azpilicueta won’t play again this season.
Prediction
After OM’s much-improved weekend performance, they should be considered favourites for this match, but it’s likely to be a tight affair. If Didier Deschamps men replicate the level they showed against Bordeaux, they will have enough to pick up the win and book a place at the Stade de France.
AJ Auxerre 0-1 Marseille 
