Marseille boss Michel hits back at Boli's squad-selection criticism

With the club spiraling out of control on the heels of Sunday's dismal goalless draw with Bordeaux, embattled Marseille manager Michel has struck back at former club hero Basile Boli for lambasting his squad selection.

Pundits were critical of Michel's team sheet for the match, especially the decision to leave star striker Michy Batshuayi on the bench for the visit from the Girondins. Club ambassador Boli was no exception.

"We have a player who has scored 15 or 16 goals this season (Batshuayi) who didn't start," said the 1993 Champions League hero, according to Ligue1.com.

"There are a lot of things which aren't going well. The team that was picked, in my opinion, wasn't ready to fight and respond to the challenge. I was surprised and shaken by the team selection. In matches such as these you have to play experienced players, players ready to rise to the challenge."

The Spanish gaffer suggested Boli didn't have the right information to accurately assess the team selection and should have spoken to Michel personally.

"As a coach I have to face up to criticism, especially when it comes from a club legend like Basile Boli," Michel said. "One must respect his opinion, but I think he's got it completely wrong. We've opened the dressing room up to him and he could have said things to me face to face.

"He spoke about team selection and tactics without having the necessary information. If he had been there at the training sessions, as a representative of the club, then he would have understood the reasons that pushed the coaching staff to select that team on Sunday evening.

"He disappointed me as a man and as a club representative. His declarations weren't necessary."

Languishing in 14th, just six points clear of the drop, Marseille's campaign has been marred by erratic form and a horrendous home record. The club has just two league wins at the Stade Velodrome, and none since a Sept. 13 victory over Corsicans Bastia.

With six matches to play, including Sunday's visit to the principality to lock horns with third-place Monaco, Marseille is in disarray amid news that owner Margarita Louis-Dreyfus is selling the South Coast club.

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Boli was the hero in Marseille's Champions League defeat of Italian giant AC Milan more than two decades ago, and the Cote D'Azur side has never appeared further from the decorated days of continental conquests and domestic dominance.