´Fabulous´ Marseille do Deschamps proud

Didier Deschamps hailed his side’s “fabulous” qualification as Marseille produced another late show to eliminate Inter from the Champions League.

Brandao netted in the 92nd minute to silence the home faithful with a priceless away goal after Diego Milito had earlier put the hosts ahead on the night and level on aggregate with a scrambled strike.

Drama ensued when Steve Mandanda brought down Giampaolo Pazzini, with referee Pedro Proenca awarding the hosts a penalty, and sending off the Marseille captain.

Pazzini stepped up to slam home the penalty past substitute Gennaro Bracigliano to give Inter a 2-1 lead on the night, but that was not enough as Marseille progressed on away goals.

“We had difficult times, we could not score, (but) I think we had a good game, there were a few opportunities on both sides,” Deschamps told TF1.

“(The game) was a bit shy offensively, but it was like the first leg. Being Champions League quarter-finalists, it’s fabulous, we thank the (fans) who came. It’ll be a bit manic at Marseille, after a difficult period in the league.”

“There is an Italian journalist who said I was unbeaten at San Siro, either as a player for five years or as a coach. I am no longer undefeated, but we qualified!”

Goalscorer Brandao also spoke of positively of the encounter which sees his side qualify for the last eight for the first time since winning the inaugural competition in 1993.

“There were difficult moments since my return (to Marseille), but tonight we (showed we are) a group that wins together,” he said. “I thank all the supporters who have pushed a lot.”

Inter boss Claudio Ranieri was disappointed not to go through, but said his side had done everything in their power to overcome a dogged Marseille outfit.

“Perhaps we played better in the first leg, but I would say that we had the best chances of the tie,” Ranieri told Sky Sport Italia.

“Suffering a goal at the end is surely hard to digest. This match was a snapshot of our season. We could not have done more than we did here.”

“Overall, I think that our elimination is unfair. I thought that we had turned the tide after the match against Chievo, but I was wrong.”

“Tonight the thing we lacked the most was luck.”