Barthez the Hero on Marseille Debut
By Chris O'Brien
January 3 2004
United 'keeper Fabien Barthez had the best possible start to his loan spell with Marseille, netting the winning goal in their French Cup tie against RC Strasbourg. The World Cup winner's striker was a penalty in the shoot-out that followed a 1-1 draw, with Barthez also saving two spot-kicks.
| Barthez the Hero on Marseille Debut |
| Fabien Barthez completed his official
loan move to Marseille on Friday and had an incredible opening game of the
loan-spell that lasts until the end of the current season. The erratic French 'keeper was the hero for Marseille in their Cup tie against RC Strasbourg. The game went to penalties and the World Cup winner, frozen out of first-team activity at Old Trafford, scored the winning penalty and saved two as the French giants went through to the next round with a 4-3 spot-kicks victory. The two 'Ligue' sides were deadlocked at 1-1 after normal time and extra time could not find a winner so the game was forced to go to the lottery of a penalty shoot-out. Barthez made himself an instant hero with the Marseille faithful by saving the third and fourth Strasbourg, before showing his outfield prowess by netting the winning kick. "I had been waiting to return to club football for so many weeks that I felt a lot of pressure," said Barthez. "I had the feeling I was going back to the beginning of my career and I didn't want to disappoint the staff, the players and the fans." Barthez has perhaps been treated a little unfairly by Sir Alex Ferguson, and it's good to see him back in club action. Hopefully the 'keeper will have an enjoyable and successful loan spell, and if the move is then made permanent then Barthez will leave having given United two seasons of good service, despite the occasional erratic! |