Deschamps, Tigana anticipate vital clash

The importance of Bordeaux’s trip to Marseille in Ligue 1 on Sunday has not been played down by the managers of either side.

With the hosts seventh on the table and six points from top-side Lille and the visitors 10th and a further two points back, the result of the game could have season-defining ramifications for each club.

Marseille returned from the French winter break with a 3-1 loss to Evian in the Coupe de France, with Bordeaux besting Rouen by the same score.

Marseille have not won in five league games, and manager Didier Deschamps was well aware of what was at stake ahead of Sunday’s encounter.

“I read and heard the Bordeaux club owner’s ambitions and he has the same objectives as us, so it’s very important for everyone,” he said.

“Obviously all of (the clubs) have the same goal. Some will not achieve it – there will not be enough place for everyone.”

Bordeaux take similarly unconvincing league form into the clash, having drawn their past five games.

But manager Jean Tigana was happy with his side’s display in wins against fellow heavyweights Paris Saint-Germain and Auxerre, and hopes his players can belatedly replicate those successes.

“For us it’s an important match of course,” he said.

“Playing Marseille will be a great game, an interesting experience for my players.”

“Defeat is forbidden for both sides, that is for sure. We produced good games against Paris and Auxerre which was important too, but we were not able to repeat that kind of performance. That has been our problem.”