Preview: Dortmund looking to replicate Bundesliga form in Europe
Die Borussen are currently unbeaten in the German league this season which, their undefeated run has secured them the top berth in the table. So much for their good form in the league last year’s Champions League finalists were beaten 2-1 by Napoli two weeks back when goals from Gonzalo Higuain and Insigne settled the tie for Benitez’s side.
Apart from a loss which could really hurt them as they aim for a progression to the next round, Dortmund coach Jurgen Klopp and goalkeeper Roman Weidenfeller were both given their marching orders, which implies that both men will be able to watch the match from the stands only.
However Klopp who faces a one match ban as a result of taking out his anger on the fourth official in the match against Napoli, has played down the significance of his absence and has claimed that his staff especially his assistant manager is more than capable of carrying out the task without him.
"It's going to be unusual," he said according to ESPNFC.
"But Zeljko (Buvac, assistant manager) and I tend to work telepathically anyway so we're not going to need any other kind of contact."
Dortmund will continue to be without important players the most significant of which is prolific midfielder Ilkay Gundogan who has been missing since mid August and will continue to nurse his back injury, whereas midfielder Sebastian Kehl and defender Lukasz Piszczek will also miss the match.
Dortmund’s Polish hit man Robert Lewandowski has made his intention clear of leaving Signal Iduna Park for Allianz Arena once his contract expires but has promised to give his all till the time he is at the club.
"I love to give everything for Borussia and want to win as much as I possibly can here,” he said
The 25 year old has lived up to his word so far and is the league’s top scorer this season with six goals to his name, including two against SC Freiburg on Saturday.
Lewandowski will have to continue his good form in Europe as BVB aim to make it through from a very difficult group. Their opponents Marseille who are being regarded as the weakest side of the group will surely be out to prove that they are not to be taken easily.
In their last European outing against Arsenal, the French side failed to convert their chances and were punished by the Gunners who won the match 2-1. However their fine form in the league will give them an inspiration to do better in Europe.
Marseille third in Ligue 1 are just a single point behind oil rich clubs Paris Saint Germain and AS Monaco. Their last match against Lorient resulted in a 2-0 victory for Les Phocéens courtesy of goals from Valbuena and Andre Ayew and Élie Baup will be looking for the duo to put up a similar showing in the match against Dortmund.
Baup could however be without Marseille’s top scorer last season Andre-Pierre Gignac, who continues to struggle with a toe injury, Jeremy Morel (knee) is also a doubt.
Last time the two sides met in the 2011-12 edition of Champions League, Marseille defeated BVB in both the meetings, but will this time be against a very different side and will have to be at their very best if they are to get any points out of the match.
Where to watch the match – live stream, start time, TV channels, Live scores
Watch Borussia Dortmund vs Olympique Marseille live on Tuesday, October 1, 2013:
In Canada at 14:45 EDT on Sportsnet World Online
In UK at 19:45 BST on Sky Sports Red Button
In USA at 14:45 ET on Fox Soccer 2Go
Fans in other parts of the world can watch the match live on their local channels. Those in Germany can watch the match live on Sky Sport 1 HD and Sky Go.
For complete details of match listings and live scores, visit the Borussia Dortmund vs Olympique Marseille match page.
