Valbuena talks Marseille struggles, Inter date

Mathieu Valbuena remains convinced Marseille can still qualify for the UEFA Champions League this season despite their poor form. Didier Deschamps' side have lost their last four Ligue 1 games to slip eight points behind Lille, who are third - the final place which would guarantee a spot in Europe's elite club competition. While midfielder Valbuena admits it is a stiff challenge, he insists it is not "insurmountable". "Our recent results have not been good," he told L'Equipe, "but those of our closest challengers have not been much better. "We are eight points behind Lille, but there are still 33 available." Valbuena accepts, however, Marseille would have to go on a "perfect run" to avoid missing out on one of their primary objectives. He added: "Marseille must play in the Champions League every year. I cannot imagine it without OM." 'Huge' goal at the San Siro Marseille are still in this year's Champions League and head to Inter Milan tomorrow looking to preserve their 1-0 advantage from the first leg at the Stade Velodrome and claim a place in the last eight. "If we are fortunate to qualify for the quarter-finals it will give us serenity for the rest of the games," he said. "If we get through it would be huge."