Anigo - We need to stick together

Posted Tuesday, November 03, 2009 by PA

Marseille need to stick together as they try to revive their Champions League hopes at home to fellow Group C strugglers FC Zurich - and sporting director Jose Anigo is setting an admirable example.

Many expected Anigo to follow president Pape Diouf when the latter left the club last summer.

But he eventually chose to stay on alongside coach and former Champions League winner Didier Deschamps - and although Marseille have had an awkward start to the season, both domestically and in Europe, he has no regrets.

He told La Provence that there were two main reasons he decided to remain with OM.

"I realised this club is a part of me, part of my life," he said.

"It's in my gut - and even if I know things may change at some point, there are still things I want to achieve here."

The former defender also heeded the advice of the people he trusts most.

"Everyone around me got me to understand that leaving was just not the right decision," he explained.

"When (former Marseille majority shareholder) Robert Louis-Dreyfus was still alive, it was made clear to me that I shouldn't just walk away after all he had helped me accomplish here.

"I understood. I could not consider leaving the club in a bad state."

Marseille go into the match against the Swiss in largely uninspired form on all fronts, having drawn Saturday's Ligue 1 match at home to Toulouse 1-1 - the third time from their last four attempts, in all competitions, that they have failed to win at the Velodrome.

With PSG due in town before the end of the month for their rescheduled clash and forthcoming trips to Lyon and AC Milan, much-needed winning momentum - as well as equally necessary Champions League points - are at stake for Deschamps' team.

Marseille and FC Zurich have just three points each after three Group C matches, meaning the losers this week will surely have little or no chance of progressing to the next stage at the expense of table-toppers AC Milan or their fellow European heavyweights Real Madrid.

FC Zurich coach Bernard Challandes must face up to several absences from his squad travelling to Marseille.

He will have to do without midfielder Almen Abdi, and forward Marco Schonbachler - who is suffering with a stomach upset - will not be making the trip either.

FC Zurich, currently fifth in the Swiss Premier Division but well off the pace being set by leaders Young Boys, lost the corresponding fixture at home to Marseille two weeks ago but earlier inflicted a shock 1-0 home defeat on Milan - having begun their