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Marseille Stars Benoit Cheyrou & Steve Mandanda Grounded After FC Zurich Victory

The magnitude of les Phoceens' success against the Swiss minnows may have been impressive, but the French side's players recognise that there is still no guarantee of progress in the Champions League....

Nov 4, 2009 9:01:18 AM

Ligue 1 : Benoit Cheyrou & Brandao & Mamadou Niang (Marseille)

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Ligue 1 : Benoit Cheyrou & Brandao & Mamadou Niang (Marseille)

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Although Olympique de Marseille recorded a giant 6-1 victory over FC Zurich in the Champions League on Tuesday evening, Benoit Cheyrou and Steve Mandanda have both warned their team-mates that there is still a lot work to be done.

Les Phoceens remain third in Group C, one point behind both Milan and Real Madrid, and it seems likely that they will have to travel to the Rossoneri for the next round of matches and at least avoid defeat, if their adventure is to continue in Europe’s premier club competition.

Mandanda alluded to that fact in the aftermath of Tuesday’s encounter, explaining to the club’s official website, “Well, it's a good result with a fine score. This evening it is to be savoured and we are happy. But it's not over; there are still other games to win.”

Cheyrou was a little more talkative about the encounter against the Swiss, but ultimately had the same message as his team-mate.

“It is gratifying to win this game, to score lots of goals and take pleasure with the fans,” the scorer of Tuesday’s fifth Marseille goal explained.

“A 6-1 win, it’s nice, even if everything was not perfect. It's good for confidence and it's a real pleasure to share it.

“The group is open and close. I did not talk about walking through when the draw came out - we said it was important to take six points against Zurich. We’ve done that and now he must seek qualification against Milan or Real, but first there is [Olympique Lyonnais] on Sunday.”

OM’s domestic form has been a little disappointing, so the great success at Stade Velodrome will have done much for their confidence, ahead of a fixture against title rivals OL.

Robin Bairner, Goal.com

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