Souleymane Diawara hopes Marseille can establish some momentum in Europe and breeze through the group stage.
Marseille defender eyes knockout stages
Souleymane Diawara hopes Marseille can establish some momentum in Europe and breeze through the group stage.
The Ligue 1 outfit were victorious on Matchday One, as they saw off Greek giants Olympiakos.
Their next fixture sees them welcome Borussia Dortmund to Stade Velodrome on Wednesday.
Victory on home soil would see them cement their standing at the top of Group F and put them in pole position to reach the knockout stages.
Diawara is keen to see Dider Deschamps' side make the most of the opportunities put in front of them and prove that they are a force to be reckoned with in continental competition.
"The serious work starts with Dortmund," he told
L'Equipe.
"We want to defeat Dortmund and reach six points. We would then have the confidence to get another three against Arsenal.
Objective
"The objective is to qualify for the knockout stage.
"If we could qualify before the end of the group matches, we could then focus on getting top spot and a home game in the return leg of the second round match.
"At that point it would be good to avoid Barcelona."
Marseille have endured a tough opening to their domestic campaign this season and Diawara admits his own performances have not been good enough.
"Personally, I have had a poor start," he said.
"I have to try very hard if I don't want to be on the bench all season.
"At Bordeaux, when I was 29, people were saying I was already finished. That is additional motivation to me. Those people who think I am finished, I will shut their mouths."
