Marseille coach Didier Deschamps was content to secure his side's first win in this year's UEFA Champions League, despite struggling to overcome minnows MSK Zilina at the Stade Velodrome.

The French champions were expected to sweep aside their rivals on home soil, but had to rely on a Souleymane Diawara header shortly after half-time to secure the points.

The Slovakians might even have grabbed a goal back but for home goalkeeper Steve Mandanda, who most impressively blocked a fierce strike from Zilina skipper Robert Jez. Deschamps admitted his side were not at their best, but was relieved to secure a win to keep them in contention to progress from Group F.

"Many people expected a large victory," Deschamps told OMTV. "It was difficult against a team who defended well at first. In the second half, they caused us a few problems. But this victory keeps alive our hopes of qualifying.

"It was a good first period with some good moments. We scored early in the second period. After that it was more laborious with a little fatigue. There was more waste and apprehension. It felt a little feverish."

L'OM are three points behind second-placed Spartak Moscow, who lost 2-0 at home to leaders Chelsea, at the halfway stage and Deschamps added: "The key is the result. It was better than [the weekend win] against Nancy, but we can do better. There are simple things that we miss and it forces us to make additional efforts. We need more simplicity to be more effective."

The key is the result. It was better than [the weekend win] against Nancy, but we can do better.
Didier Deschamps, Marseille coach.

Zilina boss Pavel Hapal saw his side slump to a third successive defeat, but said they had deserved to take something from their trip to the south of France.

"This has been a good meeting, interesting for the fans until the 90th minute," he said. "We almost got a point back but failed. We played against a great opponent but despite our very good performance, we could not beat them.

"Nobody expected such a good game from Zilina. We managed to compete effectively with OM, but it was not enough. Mathematically, everything is still possible for us. We will do everything to grab third place. I'm sure we can do better at home with our fans behind us."