Marseille set to halt spring offensive

Olympique de Marseille take an impeccable record against Russian opposition into their UEFA Cup last-16 encounter against FC Zenit St. Petersburg at the Stade Vélodrome. However, having seen in the dawn of spring in Russia with their UEFA Cup ambitions still intact for the first time in their history, Vlastimil Petržela's side will be in the mood to break new ground.

• Marseille booked their passage to the last 16 with a hard-fought 2-1 victory against Bolton Wanderers FC at the Stade Véledrome, after the first leg had finished goalless in England. After falling behind, the 1993 European champions equalised through Franck Ribéry on the cusp of half-time and did not look back as Tal Ben Haim's own goal sealed their progress. It continues a fine run by Jean Fernandez's team, who easily negotiated the group stage with victories against SC Heerenveen, FC Dinamo Bucuresti and holders PFC CSKA Moskva, although a weakened side did slip to a 1-0 defeat against PFC Levski Sofia.

• Zenit have also slipped up once en route to the last-16, coincidentally losing to Bolton during the group stage. However, that was a rare low point in a campaign full of highs for the St. Petersburg outfit. Wins against Vitória SC and Sevilla FC, and a point at Beşiktaş JK secured second place in the section, and the architects of much of their success - Aleksandr Kerzhakov and Andrei Arshavin - continued their fine goalscoring form against Rosenborg BK in the last 32. Both were on target as the side opened up a 2-0 lead at the Petrovsky stadium, and Kerzhakov added another in the return as Zenit eventually triumphed 4-1 on aggregate.

• Although Marseille and Zenit have never before met in UEFA club competition, the French side hold an impeccable record against Russian opposition, having never lost in five previous encounters. The first meeting came in the 1990/91 European Champions Clubs' Cup semi-finals when the Riviera side were drawn against FC Spartak Moskva. Abédi Ayew gave Mareille the best possible start in the Russian capital, setting his side on course for a 3-1 victory, and when the Ghanaian striker repeated the feat in the return, the result was never really in doubt. His side went on to lose the final against FK Crvena Zvezda, however.

• The French side were paired with PFC CSKA Moskva in the group stage of the same competition two years later and after earning a 1-1 draw in Russia, they romped to an emphatic 6-0 victory on home soil as Franck Sauzee hit a blistering hat-trick. CSKA Moskva were again the opponents earlier this season as goals from Sabri Lamouchi and Mamadou Niang saw Marseille ease to a 2-1 win in Russia.

• That was the same score by which Zenit lost in their only previous encounter with French opposition, against LOSC Lille Métropole in last season's UEFA Cup group stage – the reliable Kerzhakov scoring the visitors' consolation.