Borussia Dortmund will be looking for further proof their false-start to the season is behind them when they take on stuttering Marseille in the Champions League on Wednesday.
The German champions have suffered three defeats in seven Bundesliga games so far this season but held Premier League side Arsenal to a 1-1 draw in Dortmund a fortnight ago in Group F.
A 90th-minute goal from Poland defender Lukasz Piszczek at Mainz last weekend gave Dortmund a 2-1 win and injected some much-needed confidence into Jurgen Klopp's side ahead of a difficult trip to the south of France.
Didier Deschamps' Marseille opened their campaign with a hard-earned 1-0 victory at Olympiakos Piraeus in Greece, while Dortmund needed a spectacular late strike from Ivan Perisic to draw with the Gunners.
But despite their win at Mainz, which followed consecutive league defeats, Klopp has warned the Champions League is a different challenge altogether.
"We are looking at the Champions League completely differently from the Bundesliga," said Klopp.
"So we shouldn't act as though last weekend's victory gives us a gigantic advantage."
But Dortmund's director of sport Michael Zorc says the side will need their never-say-die spirit in Marseille.
"This is a different competition, but of course the team has seen that they are rewarded when they believe in themselves until the end," said Zorc.
"The win gave them their confidence back."
Having returned to the Champions League after a nine-year absence, Dortmund need at least a point from the trip to France.
"None of us is happy again after only one win," said Dortmund's Germany defender Mats Hummels.
"Our task is to repeat the success in Marseille and against Augsburg (in the German league) on Saturday."
Dortmund striker Lucas Barrios is expected to start on the bench in Marseille after making a brief appearance in Mainz - his first of the season after a leg injury.
Perisic is expected to play on the left side of the midfield at Marseille's Stade Velodrome again with Germany winger Kevin Grosskreutz suffering from poor form.
Despite their win in Greece, Marseille are not performing well in the French league with just one win from eight games and striker Andre-Pierre Gignac is out with a pulled stomach muscle.
Deschamps has admitted his players are lacking in self-confidence and says he has warned Marseille to be careful how they defend with Dortmund never afraid to use their pace to attack down the wings.
"They will not hide and we must be particularly careful on the flanks," said Deschamps.
Source: AFP
