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Deschamps alert to Dortmund danger

Olympique de Marseille coach Didier Deschamps said he would rather have avoided Borussia Dortmund in Group F after learning his side will also meet Arsenal FC and Olympiacos FC.

Marseille coach Didier Deschamps lost in the 1997 UEFA Champions League final against Dortmund
Marseille coach Didier Deschamps lost in the 1997 UEFA Champions League final against Dortmund ©Getty Images

Olympique de Marseille coach Didier Deschamps believes his side has landed in an open UEFA Champions League Group F, but the two-time winner of the competition would rather have avoided Borussia Dortmund, the team he lost to in the final as a Juventus player in 1997. The Ligue 1 outfit will also face 2006 runners-up Arsenal FC and Olympiacos FC − two sides who advanced from the same group in the 2009/10 season.

Didier Deschamps, Marseille coach
I would have been happier if we hadn't got Dortmund. They are a very attacking team with fantastic fans. They should have been in Pot 2, not Pot 4. It's a very tight group − anything can happen. Any team can make it through and the order of the games will be decisive. Winning the first match is always crucial. We have to be optimistic and ambitious if we want to play in the next round for a second year in a row.

Albert Riera, Olympiacos midfielder
We were lucky to avoid some really tough groups, but we need to be cautious because all four sides in our group have a good chance of going through. A draw is just a procedure; it doesn't determine who will go through and everything will be decided on the pitch. It will be crucial for us to get maximum points in our home encounters, though.

Jürgen Klopp, Dortmund coach
We will just take it as it comes. Three great sides have been drawn in the same group as us. I am looking forward to the Champions League so much.