UEFA CUP FINAL/Valencia v Marseille (Gothenburg 7.45 p.m. BBC2): Olympique Marseille's preparations received a huge boost when striker Didier Drogba was passed fit yesterday to play in tonight's game against Spanish champions Valencia.Gothenburg, 7.45On TV: BBC 2
Coach Jose Anigo told reporters the Ivory Coast international was "100 per cent fit" after recovering from a hip injury that threatened to rule France's player of the year out of the showpiece at the Nya Ullevi stadium.
"If he was not (fit) then I would not play him," Anigo said.
Drogba, who has lit up Marseille's season with 32 goals, including 11 in Europe, has been rested since suffering bruising in a collision with Monaco defender Julien Rodriguez in a league game this month.
"It has taken some time for us to get Didier back on his feet, but he will be in the line-up and his presence can help us win," added Anigo, who has guided Marseille to their first European final since 1999 just four months since taking charge at the Stade Velodrome.
Marseille, who need to lift the trophy to ensure European football next season, will start as underdogs against a Valencia side looking to erase the memories of Champions League final defeats in 2000 and 2001.
Anigo acknowledged the Spanish team would be firm favourites to maintain a record of just one defeat against French opposition in European competition. "They are a strong team and not Spanish champions for nothing," he said. "But even a great side has a weak spot somewhere and we need to exploit that. We just need to be confident in our own tactical approach."
Anigo has served as player and coach of youth and reserve teams and says the final should be the launching pad to make the former European champions great again.
"We are sick and tired of not winning anything," he said, referring to the years since Marseille's last European trophy in 1993 and last league title in 1992.
Valencia, who were crowned Primera Liga champions last week for the second time in three seasons, lost to Real Madrid in 2000 and Bayern Munich, in a penalty shootout, a year later and the pain of those defeats still haunt the Mestalla. Eight of this squad played in the 2001 defeat in Milan. This time the Spaniards have the incentive of completing a league and European double.
Valencia last tasted European glory in 1980 when they defeated Arsenal in the Cup Winners' Cup final. This season's title success was built on a rock-solid defence as well as a potent strike force. With one game remaining, they have conceded just 26 goals in 37 league matches while their tally of 71 goals scored, spearheaded with 19 from Mista, has only been matched by Real Madrid.
"For the game against Olympique we are going to change as little as possible for the final because up to now it has worked very well," said Valencia coach Rafa Benitez."
Valencia captain David Albelda believes experience and humility may provide the key to victory. "Valencia have grown and developed as a team over recent years," Albelda said yesterday. "The team has remained more or less the same, but it is now better prepared and more experienced. The key to our success is hard work and humility. We don't think we are superior to anyone else but we are determined to continue improving."
"You can't guarantee that things will go according to plan because it is a final, a one-off game," said Albelda. "But it is an historic year for Valencia and we are determined to do our best to win another trophy."
