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Preview: Monaco and Marseille battle for second spot
It's set to be one of the fixtures of the weekend at Stade Louis II, as Marseille make the trip down the French Riviera to face Monaco as the two European competitors fight it out for second spot in the table. Adi Hütter's men relinquished their second spot after a 2-1 away defeat to Brest last weekend, whilst Marseille managed to finally get back to winning ways with a tight 3-2 win over Toulouse.
With Strasbourg just below Monaco, and facing Nice this weekend in another European battle, the table could shift dramatically even by the end of this weekend. OM currently sit second in the table, two points ahead of Monaco on 50 points - with Strasbourg right on their coat tails one point behind. With Les Alsatiens facing Nice this weekend, it means points are imperative for both sides if they want to assure qualification for the UEFA Champions League by the end of the season.
WATCH: Monaco defeated by brest
De Zerbi: 'It will be a decisive match'
"It will be a decisive match both for us (Marseille) and for them (Monaco)," said Roberto De Zerbi in his pre-match press conference attended by Ligue1.com. "They have a lot of players with a lot of quality, like Ben Seghir and Maghnes Akliouche to name a few. They have a really strong squad and it's up to us to fight and make a real performance tomorrow."
"When we play away from home it doesn't really feel like it," added De Zerbi. "Like at Toulouse, Angers, and even at Paris you see loads of Marseille fans and scarves at the team hotel before the matches. I think it will for sure help the team having a strong backing from supporters at Monaco."
WATCH: MARSEILLE MOVE BACK TO SECOND IN WIN OVER TOULOUSE
Wilfried Singo: 'There's never a good time to face Marseille'
Speaking ahead of the game, the Monegasque defender was also wary of Marseille's quality and ASM's capacity to bounce back after a defeat against Brest last weekend. "It's not so much about avenging the defeat. We just want to work well and stay focused. There is never a good time to face Marseille. They are a big club and a big team," said the Ivorian to Get French Football News journalist Luke Entwistle at an event at Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat.
"They have a clear idea and structure, put in place by Roberto De Zerbi," Monaco manager Adi Hütter emphasised in his pre-match press conference. "They like to build from the back, with Geronimo Rulli in particular who is very available to get the ball forward. Adrien Rabiot is in fantastic form at the moment and Mason Greenwood can be that decisive player, making the difference with his dribbling, technique and speed."
A lot of respect from coaches and players on both sides before an all-important clash on Saturday at Stade Louis II (17:00 CET). With two expansive sides at play, and less-than-convincing defences - we could be in for a treat between two of the league's most entertaining sides this season.
