Champions League - Marseille thump Zurich

Eurosport - Tue, 03 Nov 21:47:00 2009

Marseille completed the double over FC Zurich with a resounding 6-1 win at the Stade Velodrome that puts them firmly in the mix to qualify from Group C. 

FOOTBALL 2009-2010 Marseille-Zurich (Abriel) - 0

A packed stadium in southern France was treated to an awesome display of attacking football as Marseille gave their Swiss opponents a lesson in finishing.

The home side took the lead when Stephane Mbia's swinging free-kick caused chaos and was headed into his own goal by Zurich's Silvan Aegerter after just four minutes.

FC Zurich looked to reply but were hit by a carbon copy second goal from the French side six minutes later.

It was Mbia again who supplied the free-kick. This time Fabrice Abriel claimed the slightest of touches to guide Marseille into a 2-0 lead with the Zurich defence floundering.

Marseille striker Brandao should have grabbed a third before the break but he shot woefully over when well placed in front of goal.

FC Zurich made the most of the let off and scored a wonderfully crafted goal themselves before half-time.

After neat play in midfield Johan Vonlanthen set up Alexandre Alphonse. He created a yard of space for himself before shooting superbly past a sprawling Steve Mandanda.

Marseille grabbed a classy third after the break when Mamadou Niang played a clever one-two with Bakari Kone on the edge of the penalty area. He raced onto the return pass and calmly lobbed a stranded Johnny Leoni in the Zurich goal.

The French side then scored three more times in the final 10 minutes.

Hilton lashed home from 12 yards to make it 4-1 after yet another free-kick caused panic in the Zurich ranks. 

Benoit Cheyrou then scored the goal of the match. He picked the ball up just inside the Zurich half, played a quick one-two with Stephane Mbia, strode forward before belting in a screamer from 30 yards.

Brandao then made amends for his first-half howler when he completed the rout with a simple tap-in following Niang's left-wing cross.

Didier Deschamp's men will now look to matchday five when they go to Milan in two weeks time.

With only a point separating Marseille, Milan and Real Madrid, the French side will feel they have a real chance of progressing from Group C.

On this evidence, do not count them out just yet.

Mark Applin / Eurosport

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  1. vive la france...lol

    From gram, on Wed 4 Nov 8:32AM
  2. allez l'om

    From embarko3, on Tue 3 Nov 1:46AM
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