On Wednesday night, OM will be up against the Norwegians of Bergen in the Champions League prelmiminary round return leg. One last obstacle before making the group stage of the most prestigious European competition.
Return Leg
Wednesday at 20h45
Stade Vélodrome
Referee: M. Braamhaar
Live on M6
Going into to the return leg of the Champions League preliminary round OM’s objective is clear, to qualify for the group stage. With the one goal lead they hold from the first leg in Norway, Erik Gerets side go into Wednesdays game serenely,considering their capabilities but also warily, after the performance put in by their opponents in Norway. «We managed to score an away goal and didn’t concede, we have every reason to be confident going into this game. We are in a comfortable position, but the game is not in the bag. Our position, going into the match, is positive. It would be a catastrophe if we didn’y manage to qualify ».
To achieve their goal, OM wil be able to lean on their performance in the first leg. «We played well, controling the game from start to finish. It’s the game that has given me the most satisfaction this season so far ».
In a stadium in mourning, after the accident suffered by a bus of the supporters group MTP on Saturday morning, which led to the deaths of two members of the supporters club, OM will want to try and cheer up their fans. «We’re going into the game as if the score was 0-0. We want to score a goal, as you can always concede one towards the end of the game. We have to try and control the match whilst remaining an attacking force ».
First encounter with the Vélodrome for Brann
Late in the afternoon the Bergen players discovered the Vélodrome. After the busy press conference, the squad brought by Mjelde trained on the pitch of the Vélodrome.
The return of Bo Karlsonn
Bo Karlsonn. The name probably means nothing to you, one night in March 1991, you probably had your eyes riveted on him for long minutes, at the Vélodrome (for the lucky ones) or in front of your television. Bo Karlsonn was the Swedish referee who took control of the quarter final return leg of the European Cup between OM and AC Milan, won 1 - 0 by Jean-Pierre Papin’s teammates thanks to a goal from Chris Waddle. The end of the game was disrupted by flood light failure. Milan refused to continue the game even though Bo Karlsonn estimed that their was sufficient light to finish the game. Milan, knocked out of the competition, were later suspended from European competitions by UEFA for a year.
On Wednesday for the game against Brann Bergen, Bo Karlsonn, will be back at the Vélodrome as a referee’s supervisor for UEFA.
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0. Or the number of goals conceded by OM since the final whistle of the game against Rennes (4-4). After that game, OM beat Bergen 1-0, Auxerre 4-0 at the Vélodrome then Le Havre 1-0 away from home. 270 minutes that Erik Gerets’s men woumd like to continue.
Qualifying for the Champions League would be a consecration for last season, which was very difficult. We started well in the first leg, we now have the retun leg to valorise the hardwork put in last season. That’s why this match is very important."
