Intro:

Monaco trained and spoke to the media on Friday, ahead of their French Ligue 1 meeting with Olympique Marseille.

Script:

Monaco continue their bid for the French Ligue 1 title on Sunday, with what could prove to be a crucial game against Olympique Marseille.

Claudio Ranieri's Monaco side currently sit second in the standings, five points behind leaders Paris Saint-Germain, with Marseille way off the pace in fifth.

A league title may be beyond their grasp, but Marseille will still have a say over the final destination of this season's honours.

Monaco will be without Colombian striker Radamel Falcao who looks likely to miss the rest of the season, and perhaps the World Cup finals, after suffering a knee injury in Wednesday's 3-0 French Cup win over Monts Or Azergues.

Ranieri admitted on Friday that Falcao's injury has come as a blow for the squad and their Ligue-1 title hopes.

SOUNDBITE: (French) Claudio Ranieri, Monaco manager (on the injury to Radamel Falcao):
"It is very difficult because Radamel is a great champion. Everybody loves him, so it is hard."

Monaco's opposition in the French Cup round of 16 will be Nice, who beat Marseille 5-4 in the round of 32 on Tuesday.