Tottenham’s last-gasp winner against Marseille sent the French team out of Europe - although their players had thought they were heading home anyway.
Chancel Mbemba, who scored Marseille’s opener in the 2-1 defeat, has explained why they went on the attack and left themselves exposed for Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg’s late goal.
The hosts would have secured a Europa League spot at Stade Velodrome with a draw thanks to Eintrach Frankfurt’s win over Sporting CP, although a miscommunication over that scoreline saw them pile men forward in pursuit of a winner.
“On the pitch, we didn't know,” Mbemba told RMC after the Champions League group decider in which a winner would, of course, have secured a place in the last-16.
“But on the bench, people knew. It was a lack of communication.
“We had the courage to push until the end... but we didn't know. It's a mistake.”
Marseille coach Igor Tudor explained that his coaching staff were, in fact, compelling his players to defend but the sheer volume inside the Stade Velodrome meant their message did not get across.
“They did not hear, because there was so much noise,” he said.
“I told them to stay in place, not to attack, but they did not hear. There was confusion in the last minute.
“It was not about the results, but about telling them to stay in place, not to all go up.”
