Grief tinges Marseille's Brann tie

Olympique de Marseille are favourites to get past SK Brann and reach the UEFA Champions League group stage but minds at the Stade Vélodrome are currently elsewhere.

Tragedy
Two Marseille fans died on Saturday in a coach crash en route to the club's Ligue 1 game at Le Havre AC, with the tragedy overshadowing OM's preparations to defend the 1-0 first-leg lead gained by Boudewijn Zenden's goal in Norway a fortnight ago. Captain Lorik Cana said: "I wouldn't say it is a strange atmosphere but it is subdued. We are doing all we can to stay focused on the game but it's not easy."

'In our hands'
On the pitch Marseille have made a good start to the season – their 1-0 win at Le Havre gave them seven points from three games, the same total as leaders Olympique Lyonnais. Cana added: "If we play at our true level, I think we will go through. Everything is in our hands. We are prepared for the game and are prepared to go further in this competition, but we must respect our opponents because they are a good team too."

Gerets vow
Marseille coach Erik Gerets is without new defender Elamin Erbate, who has a thigh injury, and has a doubt over striker Bakari Koné because of an ankle problem. Gerets said: "Brann will take risks and look to attack but we won't play defensively. We'll start the game as if it were 0-0 from the first leg and we'll try to score. Also because, as far as I understand, there will be more than 40,000 fans in the stands."

Tough task
Brann do indeed have to attack, although coach Mons Ivar Mjelde is realistic about their chances of turning the tables on the 1993 European champions in this third qualifying round contest. "Everyone knows this will be no walk in the park," Mjelde said. "It will be a massive achievement if we do it, and I have not lost hope that it is possible. We do, however, need to raise our game from the last few matches."

Disappointing draw
Brann go into the tie following Sunday's disappointing 0-0 home draw with Rosenborg BK, which the Bergen team were lucky not to lose, to the audible frustration of their supporters. Midfielder Eirik Bakke is rated doubtful with a hip problem, though the right-sided Bjørn Dahl is expected to be fit after a calf complaint. Midfielders Hassan El-Fakiri and Jan Gunnar Solli are also back in training following thigh injuries and may feature.