With a total market value of arrivals set at around 160 million euros (total squad is estimated at 308 million), and with the tag of being the only French club to win the Champions League (called European Cup in 1992), Olympique Marseille is the favorite in tonight’s first leg of qualifications for this prestige UEFA competition. And it’s certainly a burden for this French giant, since anything but a win would be a disaster for both the club and the Ligue 1. On the other side is famous Greek club Panathinaikos with 20 league titles (the last in 2010), 19 Greek Cups and a Champions League final lost in 1971), with the whole squad estimated at 51 million. They would also like to finally have some breakthrough in the European football, where they haven’t been successful in years (they have not qualified for a final phase of European competition since 2016). But if you ask the colorful Djibril Cisse, he is under bigger pressure of them all!🇪🇺 Panathinaikos vs Dnipro 01/08/2023 pic.twitter.com/FjoV0pLhPI— 101% ULTRAS (@101ULTRAS) August 2, 2023 The famous French striker played for both clubs, during his rich career. From 2006-2009 he played for Olympique, made 58 appearances and scored 24 goals, while in Athens he managed 61 appearances, but scored more – 47 goals. He always shown affection for both his former clubs and this tie is to painful for him, since he cannot choose who to support. In a rather melodramatic manner, Cisse took his Instagram post to make a message to both clubs: ‘Why are you doing this to me?’Two more signings at the Velodrome – the Blades say goodbye to the Senegalese talentFormer Liverpool player was a perfect man to ask about Marseille’s chances in the upcoming tie and here is what he said about the stadium and atmosphere in Athens, where the first game is played tonight. “OM players are used to warm atmospheres at the Velodrome, but frankly, there, it’s something. A young player may be surprised. The public is very close to the pitch and it moves throughout the match, there is no lull. It’s hot all the time, smoke bombs blow up, fans sing constantly” he explained, but added that Marseille is the favorite. Cisse wants to come back to football, would play for freeBoth clubs have ‘wild’ fans so they have been banned from attending the other team’s game. What’s even worse, Marseille Ultras have great relationships with AEK Athens, which brings this game to another level. The winner of this double confrontation will qualify for the Champions League play-offs, against the winners of the confrontation between Braga and TSC. ##NAJAVA_MECA_7417541##
