Marseille vs Bastia preview - Fanni blunt about third-place race

Posted Friday, May 22, 2015 by PA

Marseille defender Rod Fanni admits his side will look like "idiots" if they fail to clinch a Champions League place on Saturday.

Marcelo Bielsa's side were top of Ligue 1 at the halfway point of the season but a poor second half has left Marseille hoping third-placed Monaco slip up on the last day of the campaign.

Marseille face mid-table Bastia at home and on paper should have little trouble securing the win at the Stade Velodrome. Should they win and Monaco fail to take three points at Lorient then third place and Champions League football will be in the bag.

France defender Fanni, however, says the players will be kicking themselves if they miss out.

He said: "I'm bitter, because we're chasing a hypothetical place and we deserved better. The revival came a little late, but we can't rewrite the season. If we're not on the podium we'll be the first to look upon ourselves as idiots.

"Finishing third, fourth or fifth has very different consequences for the future."

Ghislain Printant's Bastia are unbeaten in four games however - three wins followed by a 1-1 draw with Caen last weekend to ensure they are safe from relegation.

Marseille may be without Ghana midfielder Andre Ayew due to a foot injury for what would be his last match for the club - the son of Abedi Pele is out of contract in the summer - while Benjamin Mendy and Alaixys Romao are suspended.

Bastia have Drissa Diakite and Francois Kamano available after suspension but Yannick Cahuzac serves a one-match ban.