Marseille coach Jose Anigo has praised Fabien Barthez for his performance in the 1-1 draw with Liverpool in the Uefa Cup.
The on-loan Manchester United keeper impressed as l´OM picked up a valuable result at Anfield and Anigo was delighted with the overall performance of his side.
" Fabien was equal to the situation like a French national team keeper," the manager said afterwards.
" He contained the opponents´ attack when we had moments of weakness.
" He played like a world and European champion keeper.
" He justified his status."
Anigo is relishing the second leg opportunity to dump Liverpool out of the competition and refused to apologise for the jubilant scenes in the dressing room after the game.
" Like every southern Frenchman, to celebrate we sing," he enthused. " We apologise for not having a cry.
" We are satisfied with the result, but we know perfectly well we have not won yet.
" After the big failure at Bastia last Sunday to achieve such a result at Liverpool is a great satisfaction for a little team like us.
" I hope Stade Velodrome will be fully booked to support us.
" We played with our own weapons.
" We know Liverpool´s attacking value with ( Michael) Owen and ( Milan) Baros and it was quite impressive on the bench too.
" The Anfield fans are fantastic and it is worth living that experience once, to be at peace with football.
" But I want to congratulate the 1,300 Marseille fans who came to support us. We could hear them and it was a great help."