Intense clashes mark Group F
27 Nov 2013 4:44 AM IST
Marseille can no longer qualify for the next phase, while Arsenal will go into the match at the Emirates Stadium level on points with Napoli at the top of Group F and with a place in the knockout rounds in sight.
Marseille have lost all four of their European games to date and recently went seven games without a win in all competitions, but Wenger, whose side won 2-1 in September’s reverse fixture, says they deserve respect.
‘They started in a difficult position because they lost their first game at home (against Arsenal),’ said the Frenchman. ‘Also they went through a bad patch in the French championship, which for me had a consequence on their Champions League form.
‘They are a good side who went through a difficult period and that difficult period which they had certainly had an impact. ‘Now, they have played a very good game in Naples (losing 3-2) and were unlucky to lose. I am sure that they will be difficult to beat on Tuesday night.’ Spanish midfielder Santi Cazorla echoed his manager’s words of warning, telling the club website: ‘There is nothing at stake for Marseille because they have zero points, but they are going to make things difficult for us.
‘It may be tough and if we’re not careful we might slip, and then we might not be able to get through to the next round. ‘We need to understand that it’s a vital match. If we get the right result, we can automatically go to the next round.
‘If we obtained a bad result, then it would make things very complicated for us to go to Napoli and win there.’ Borussia Dortmund’s European season hangs in the balance as last season’s Champions League runners-up prepare to host Italy’s Napoli on Tuesday with victory being the only option for the Germans.
Injury-hit and disappointed following Saturday’s 3-0 Bundesliga defeat to rivals Bayern Munich, coach Jurgen Klopp’s team need to win their last two Champions League Group F games against Napoli and Olympique Marseille to preserve their chances of reaching the knockout stage. Any other result could mean a surprise and premature exit for team that dazzled Europe last season with their lightning-quick pace and youthful exuberance but has failed to match results this campaign.
‘We are lacking in determination, a sense of purpose,’ said Dortmund keeper Roman Weidenfeller. ‘We take too long to finish off a move. We pass it across instead of going straight for goal.’ ‘Nothing has been decided yet, neither in the league nor in Europe.
But Tuesday’s game is more crucial than against Bayern. We have to win at home and we need to use our chances because games are won by scoring goals.’ Dortmund are in third place in the group on six points, three behind leaders Arsenal and Napoli. Marseille have yet to score a point. Napoli have already beaten the Germans 2-1 in the first leg in Italy back in September.
‘I told my team after the Bayern game that they have five minutes to be depressed and then just get up and keep going,’ said Klopp, whose team dropped seven points behind leaders Bayern.
Marseille have lost all four of their European games to date and recently went seven games without a win in all competitions, but Wenger, whose side won 2-1 in September’s reverse fixture, says they deserve respect.
‘They started in a difficult position because they lost their first game at home (against Arsenal),’ said the Frenchman. ‘Also they went through a bad patch in the French championship, which for me had a consequence on their Champions League form.
‘They are a good side who went through a difficult period and that difficult period which they had certainly had an impact. ‘Now, they have played a very good game in Naples (losing 3-2) and were unlucky to lose. I am sure that they will be difficult to beat on Tuesday night.’ Spanish midfielder Santi Cazorla echoed his manager’s words of warning, telling the club website: ‘There is nothing at stake for Marseille because they have zero points, but they are going to make things difficult for us.
‘It may be tough and if we’re not careful we might slip, and then we might not be able to get through to the next round. ‘We need to understand that it’s a vital match. If we get the right result, we can automatically go to the next round.
‘If we obtained a bad result, then it would make things very complicated for us to go to Napoli and win there.’ Borussia Dortmund’s European season hangs in the balance as last season’s Champions League runners-up prepare to host Italy’s Napoli on Tuesday with victory being the only option for the Germans.
Injury-hit and disappointed following Saturday’s 3-0 Bundesliga defeat to rivals Bayern Munich, coach Jurgen Klopp’s team need to win their last two Champions League Group F games against Napoli and Olympique Marseille to preserve their chances of reaching the knockout stage. Any other result could mean a surprise and premature exit for team that dazzled Europe last season with their lightning-quick pace and youthful exuberance but has failed to match results this campaign.
‘We are lacking in determination, a sense of purpose,’ said Dortmund keeper Roman Weidenfeller. ‘We take too long to finish off a move. We pass it across instead of going straight for goal.’ ‘Nothing has been decided yet, neither in the league nor in Europe.
But Tuesday’s game is more crucial than against Bayern. We have to win at home and we need to use our chances because games are won by scoring goals.’ Dortmund are in third place in the group on six points, three behind leaders Arsenal and Napoli. Marseille have yet to score a point. Napoli have already beaten the Germans 2-1 in the first leg in Italy back in September.
‘I told my team after the Bayern game that they have five minutes to be depressed and then just get up and keep going,’ said Klopp, whose team dropped seven points behind leaders Bayern.
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