UEFA Cup success a domestic drag say Marseille

Marseille players celebrate after a goal during a league match at the weekend. Marseille, who play at Levski Sofia on Thursday, may have qualified for the UEFA Cup knockout stages but coach Jean Fernandez has complained their domestic aims are suffering at the hands of the competition

Marseille, who play at Levski Sofia on Thursday, may have qualified for the UEFA Cup knockout stages but coach Jean Fernandez has complained their domestic aims are suffering at the hands of the competition.

The fourth and penultimate round of group stage matches, with the top three of eight, five-team pools going through to next February's last 32, takes place on Wednesday and Thursday.

Other clubs in action include Monaco at Czech club Slavia Prague, Sampdoria hosting Hertha Berlin, and Roma who play away to Red Star Belgrade.

Fernandez believes had Marseille not been in the competition, they would have put in a better showing in the French championship.

"We are happy to be through to the last 32 of the UEFA Cup but without European competition we would have three of four more points in the league and we would be battling for a Champions League spot next season," Fernandez said at their La Commanderie training centre on Tuesday.

"We have a squad capable of coping with one competition but at the moment we are competing in two," he added.

Marseille are aiming to hang on to first place in Group F to give themselves an easier draw in the knockout stages. Even if they lose to Sofia, a victory over Dynamo Bucharest in their final group fixture at home would give the former European champions top spot.

This time out, Fernandez looks set to field a much-weakened side with the influential Franck Ribery, Mamadou Niang and Wilson Oruma out of the picture.

Monaco arrived for their match against Slavia Prague and were whisked away to a different terminal from where journalists had gathered, due to technical reasons according to a Monaco official.

Monaco, a point behind the Czechs in fourth spot in Group A, must avoid defeat so they do not have a huge task in their final match against CSKA Sofia.

"We have already missed out on Champions League football so we want to go far in this competition," captain Gael Givet said.

However Monaco have a well-stocked sick bay following their 2-1 defeat at Marseille on Sunday.

First team regulars Flavio Roma (goalkeeper), Ernesto Javier Chevanton, Sebastien Squillaci, Douglas Maicon, Camel Meriem and Olivier Kapo are all injured.

Monaco coach Francesco Guidolin has been forced to call up a number of youngsters in Nicolas Maurice-Belay, Olivier Veigneau and Marko Muslin.

Roma coach Luciano Spalletti also has a selection headache ahead of their clash away to Red Star Belgrade.

Captain Francesco Totti, Christian Chivu and Amantino Mancini are injured, while Simone Perrotta and Cesare Bovo are suspended.

Veteran midfielder Damiano Tommasi is also unavailable as he was not included in Roma's list for UEFA Cup matches.

Antonio Cassano, who is refusing to sign the new contract being offered to him, is expected to start up front alongside Vincenzo Montella.