Last year’s beaten finalists Borussia Dortmund were just four minutes away from exiting this year’s competition before Kevin Grosskreutz’s scuffed winner in Marseille saw them qualify as group winners.

Marseille coach Elie Baup says Joey Barton remains a key member of his squad despite the midfielder having angered club chiefs by labelling Paris St Germain defender Thiago Silva an “overweight ladyboy” in an online tirade.

Marseille midfielder Joey Barton has apologised to his team-mates for his red card in last night’s 1-0 Ligue 1 loss at home to lowly Nancy, and admitted he was “partly responsible” for the shock result.

Joey Barton believes he is ready to make his mark at Marseille after settling into French life.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger and Theo Walcott last night hastily reached a short-term agreement which means the England winger won’t leave the club this week.

Marseille coach Elie Baup has confirmed the club are in talks with QPR midfielder Joey Barton, but that a move has yet to be agreed.

Didier Deschamps last night agreed to take on one of the toughest tasks in internatinoal football after he agreed to become the new France coach.

Ligue 1 side Marseille have announced that coach Didier Deschamps has left the club by mutual agreement.

Tottenham defender Younes Kaboul will miss out on a place in France’s Euro 2012 squad due to injury, coach Laurent Blanc has revealed.

BARCELONA sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta is wary of history repeating itself after his side were drawn against Bayer Leverkusen in the last 16 of the Champions League.

MATHIEU VALBUENA’S late winner sealed a stunning comeback from Marseille against Borussia Dortmund to book the French side’s place in the last 16 of the Champions League.

Arsenal 0 Marseille 0

ARSENAL manager Arsene Wenger has called on his team to forget Saturday’s momentous derby win over Chelsea and focus instead on qualifying for the knockout stages of the Champions League with a win over Marseille tonight.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is sure he is once again in charge of a happy, united dressing room after Thomas Vermaelen bucked the recent trend by committing his future to the club.

Arsene Wenger is looking forward to another Champions League outing in Marseille after admitting his side play with more freedom in Europe.

France midfielder Alou Diarra has signed for Marseille from Bordeaux.

GREETINGS from the Old Port of Marseille. I’ve always considered tonight’s venue to be one of the most under-rated in Europe and make no mistake — when the conjunction of occasion and opposition is right, it can equal anything Madrid or Milan has to offer in terms of bloodcurdling atmosphere.

AC Milan booked their place in the last 16 of the Champions League after posting a scrappy 2-0 victory over Auxerre in Burgundy.

Newcastle target Hatem Ben Arfa claims he will not play again for current employers Marseille as he bids to force through a move.

Marseille president Jean-Claude Dassier has revealed Liverpool have contacted him about Didier Deschamps, but he has told them they have no chance of tempting the Ligue 1 winning coach away from Stade Velodrome.

Marseille defender Souleymane Diawara insists there was no malicious intent behind the tackle which has ruled Cristiano Ronaldo out for a month.

New Marseille defender Gabriel Heinze insists he was not forced out of Real Madrid.

SAMIR NASRI can see himself settling down as a defensive midfielder for Arsenal.

Didier Deschamps will replace the departing Eric Gerets as Marseille coach in June, the French club announced this morning.

Marseille president Pape Diouf insists he will do everything he can to bring Didier Drogba back to the Stade Velodrome.

Chelsea striker Didier Drogba admits he feels “at home” at Marseille but stressed he would only return to France with the Blues’ full consent.

Marseille defender Gael Givet has joined Blackburn on loan until the end of the season.

Marseille have dismissed talk of a move for Didier Drogba, describing the Chelsea striker as “inaccessible”.

Marseille left-back Taye Taiwo claims Manchester City are one of a host of English clubs looking to sign him.

Marseille 3 PSV Eindhoven 0

Barcelona maintained their 100% record in Champions League Group C with a 5-0 rout of hapless Basle tonight.

Former Liverpool forward Luis Garcia has branded as “excessive” UEFA’s decision issue Atletico Madrid with a three-match stadium ban following crowd trouble during a game against Marseille earlier this month.

Le Mans scored twice in the dying minutes to steal a 2-1 win and leave Le Havre rooted to the foot of the Ligue 1 table.

VILLARREAL will be in high spirits ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League trip to Old Trafford to face Manchester United after a 1-0 home victory over Deportivo La Coruna yesterday.

MARSEILLE coach Eric Gerets believes Champions League Group D is wide open after seeing his team given one of hardest draws possible.

Sunderland are on the verge of completing the loan signing of Djibril Cisse after reaching an “agreement in principle” with Marseille over the transfer of the striker.

Marseille fans have launched an appeal to raise the £22m they believe is needed to buy Chelsea star Didier Drogba.

Arsenal are one of a number of European clubs to have made an offer for Marseille playmaker Samir Nasri, the player’s agent has confirmed.

Marseille president Pape Diouf has spoken of his “disgust” at the racist chanting against his players that marred this week’s UEFA Cup tie with Zenit St Petersburg.

LIVERPOOL goalkeeper Jose Reina has called on his team-mates to help relieve the boardroom tension that currently exists at the club by continuing their superb recent form on the pitch.

Rafael Benitez wants to see "the real Steven Gerrard" guiding Liverpool towards more European glory.

Habib Beye should complete his move from Marseille to Newcastle “in the next 24 hours”, according to OM president Pape Diouf.

Marseille maintained their push for a place in next season’s Champions League after coming from behind to claim a thrilling 2-1 win at Monaco.

Djibril Cisse admits there has been no dialogue between Liverpool and Marseille about where he will be playing next season.