MARSEILLE, Nov 26 (SW) – Although the future of Champions League Group F is almost sealed, Real Madrid being already qualified for next round, and Porto being ultra-favourites against Partizan Belgrade, Marseille are set to face the Spanish giants without pressure.

Marseille, currently 3rd in their Champions League group with only 3 points, trail FC Porto by 4 points and have little hope of making it to next round, but Alain Perrin insists the French club’s current situation is comfortable.

"Our position in the table is relatively comfortable. My players are going to play Madrid as under-dogs. Pressure will be way different. Against Real, we will be wanting to realize the outstanding performance of beating the best football team in Europe, therefore the best team in the World," said Perrin.

Real Madrid and its bunch of stars arrived in Marignane airport yesterday and allowed 400 delighted fans to watch them training in the Velodrome stadium last night.
There will be many more tonight, as a packed stadium will be awaiting the return of Marseille’s prodigy Zinedine Zidane.

The talented French midfielder, who spent all his childhood in Marseille, never had the chance to play for l’OM but Zizou could hardly hide his pride to be back in his hometown, re-affirming his uncontested love for the Southern city.

"Marseille is in my blood. My family and many of my friends live there and, despite the fact that I have spent my football career elsewhere, Marseille is still my home," said Zidane.

"To turn out in front of the Marseille supporters would be very special. I've been back to the Vélodrome stadium with Bordeaux and with France, but returning with Real Madrid would be different. I'm sure I'll get goose bumps when I am standing in that tunnel," said Zizou.

Florent Preynat