Deschamps savours Cup win

Marseille boss Didier Deschamps paid tribute to his players’ fighting spirit after they became the first side to win the Coupe de la Ligue two years running.

Nigerian defender Taye Taiwo scored the only goal of the game with 10 minutes remaining in an often spiteful match at the Stade de France to give Marseille a 1-0 victory.

Deschamps said he was delighted with the win, adding that his players had shown tremendous character to emerge victorious.

“It was a complicated, well-contested match,” Deschamps said. “It was a heated match. We created many chances and my players showed character.”

“There was lots of character and courage. It’s great that the players are rewarded, and also all our supporters.”

“A lot of people will be delighted in Marseille tonight.”

Montpellier manager Rene Girard said he was proud of the efforts of his men but rued some sloppy defending that allowed Taiwo to score.

“We were made to pay for a lapse,” Girard said. “They scored from a set-piece and we knew it would make the difference tonight.”

“I’m a bit disappointed but I’m proud of the boys, they gave all they had.”