MARSEILLE CHASES FIRST TROPHY IN 17 YEARS
Super Eagles and Marseille left foot back, Taye Taiwo will be chasing its first trophy in 17 years when it faces Bordeaux in the League Cup final on Saturday.
The last time Marseille landed some silverware was when it won the Champions League in 1993. Since then, pressure has built on the club to end the drought.
'We don't mention those 17 years without a title to the players,' Marseille sporting director Jose Anigo told the club's Web site. 'They know the history of the club. It's no use reminding them.'
Marseille has had its chances in recent years but it lost French Cup finals in 2006 and 2007 and then finished second behind Bordeaux in the league last season.
'We wanted to win so much in our last two French Cup finals that it polluted our minds,' Anigo said. 'A final is all about winning. Losing a final is strange: you get the feeling that you have worked for months for nothing.'
Marseille has won the league eight times and lifted the French Cup on 10 occasions but it has never won the League Cup.
Bordeaux is the favorite on paper. It won the League Cup in 2002, 2007 and 2009 and it is currently top of the league table, three points clear of fourth-place Marseille.
'We have more experience to handle this kind of match,' Bordeaux captain Alou Diarra told the club's Web site. 'It will be an advantage for us.'
The two sides have drawn both of the games against each other in the league this season-0-0 at Marseille and 1-1 at Bordeaux.
Marseille will rely on Senegal forward Mamadou Niang, who is the top scorer in the league with 15 goals, Brazilian striker Brandao and Argentina midfielder LuchoGonzalez to crack the Bordeaux defense.
Bordeaux has gained a strong reputation for its efficiency at set-pieces. Brazilian midfielder Geraldo Wendel and France playmaker Yoann Gourcuff are outstanding free-kick takers, while players such as Alou Diarra, Michael Ciani and Morocco striker Marouane Chamakh are all good in the air.
Bordeaux is without defender Marc Planus (knee) and Marseille is missing midfielder Benoit Cheyrou (calf).