Marseille bow out at 'Theatre of Regrets'
Reuters - Wednesday 16 March 2011, 07:49
MANCHESTER -
Olympique Marseille's Champions League last 16 exit at
Manchester United prompted a feeling of what might have been for
the French champions with just one goal separating them from
glory.
Javier Hernandez scored twice in the second leg to send
United through 2-1 on aggregate with Wes Brown's own goal on 82
minutes coming too late to inspire a full Marseille comeback.
France's L'Equipe newspaper labelled the defeat "the Theatre
of Regrets" in reference to Old Trafford's nickname of the
Theatre of Dreams and Marseille's feelings of frustration after
a dour 0-0 draw in the first leg at the Stade Velodrome.
"We are disappointed, we were not so far away from a great
result but it's now necessary to move forward and quickly,"
midfielder Stephane Mbia told reporters.
"There are lots of regrets for us but you've got to
recognise that Manchester United did a good job."
The French champions had decent pressure after the interval
but could not sufficiently break down a United defence shorn of
injured captain Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand.
Didier Deschamps' men, who lie fourth in a tight French
top-flight, will now return to domestic action trying to sew up
a second straight Ligue 1 title despite their European
disappointment.
"We had the opportunity to do something better. We had
chances," the coach ruefully remarked.