One man will dominate Gothenburg on Wednesday. If his abominable abdominals hold up.
Didier Drogba, the Olympique de Marseille striker who so effectively destroyed Newcastle in the Uefa Cup semifinal a fortnight ago, should be back to haunt Spanish favourites Valencia in the final.
But the French Footballer of the Year won’t be playing before the big one — he was carried off on a stretcher during the 1-0 defeat against European Champions League finalists Monaco last week.
The Côte d’Ivoire’s greatest non-elephantine export hurt himself in a clash with Monaco’s Julien Rodriguez late in last week’s French league game, but Marseille say he should be fit.
A spokesperson said: ‘Drogba has damaged his left hip and some abdominal muscles. He will not play until the final.â€
If he doesn’t make it, I’d suggest Marseille are in serious dwang. Drogba scored two against Newcastle — one lovely solo effort, then a well-taken snap-shot — and has scored in all four earlier rounds.
Keep an eye out too for former Fulham star Steve Marlet in the Marseille midfield and former Manchester United keeper Fabien Barthez in goal as the French aim for ‘un doublé historiqueâ€, with Monaco taking on Porto in the Champions League final in Germany on May 26.
France have never had much luck in Europe and with Valencia romping away from Real Madrid at the top of La Liga to conquer Spain, nobody expects Marseille to win on Wednesday.
That’s why we’ve had this kind of quote from Marseille boss Jose Anigo: ‘This is a fairy tale. Three months ago I was coaching the youth team and now we’re in a European final. We’ll do everything to bring the Cup to Marseille. We’re living a dream.â€
Contrast that with this from Valencia captain David Albelda when his side clinched the Spanish title with two games to spare last week: ‘I think we’re deserved winners, we’ve worked really hard all season and been by far the most consistent side in the league. Let’s see if we can now go for the Uefa Cup as well.â€
Speedy winger Vicente, Jorge Lopez up front, top players like Pablo Aimar, Baraja and Xisko and goalkeeper Santiago Canizares put Valencia ahead of Real and their galacticos while Marseille are struggling to keep up the pace in the French top division, perhaps side-tracked by their efforts in Europe. They’re 22 points off the pace being set by Lyon.
But I’m going for Drogba, the 26-year-old originally from CIV Abidjan, to upset the form book. He’s big, quick and full of tricks and he’s been through the mill in France, struggling at second division Le Mans and Guincamp.
With Marseille he scored 17 league goals last season and 18 this term as he heads towards the heights currently occupied in Europe by Thierry Henry, Ruud van Nistelrooy and Raul.
And that’s another point. If Drogba stars on Wednesday, expect a Premiership swoop within days. And yes, Chelsea would be favourites. Rich gits.