Marseille look to attack from start

Marseille, Feb. 9: Marseille open the French League weekend by taking one of the hottest attacks in Europe to the fortress of one of their ancient rivals, Saint- Etienne.

Marseille’s motto is “Straight to goal” and they are living up to it in 2018 with 27 goals scored in all competitions since the start of the year as they have risen to second in the table.

In the big five European leagues, only Paris SaintGermain, whose superstars are running away with Ligue 1, have hit more. Marseille’s total includes 15 league goals since January 1, two fewer than PSG and the same as Barcelona, Real Madrid and Lazio.

In their last league game, Marseille scored five times in the first 56 minutes before easing up as they won 6- 3 at home to Metz.

“It’s a hallmark of my teams that they have lots of different scorers,” said Rudi Garcia, who built a similarly explosive attack when he guided Lille to the league title in 2011.

On Saturday, leaders PSG play in Toulouse in a last run out before the Valentine’s Day Champions League encounter Real Madrid.

PSG will be without Kylian Mbappe after French football’s disciplinary commission announced on Thursday that the young French striker would be banned for a second match for a foul on Ismaila Sarr of Rennes during the League Cup semifinal on January 30.

Mbappe suffered a knock in January and has struggled for form. The enforced absence allows him to rest but also offers Angel Di Maria, who has been in sparkling form, the chance to cement a place in the line- up. with