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Jaidi relishes Marseille test

Bolton Wanderers FC's Tunisia defender Radhi Jaidi is looking forward to meeting Olympique de Marseille, with many of his countrymen set to see him play.

Former glories
Winners of the first UEFA Champions League in 1993 and beaten finalists in 1991, the Ligue 1 side also reached the final of the UEFA Cup in both 1999 and 2004. If tradition and the past are anything to go by, the club from France's south coast should run out clear winners over their English counterparts in their UEFA Cup Round of 32 first-leg tie on Wednesday.

Not scared
Yet ask the opinion of Radhi Jaidi, and one realises that Bolton are far from intimidated by their more illustrious opponents. "Yes, it's great we are playing in Europe against a team of Marseille's reputation - a club with a rich history in European competition. Everyone at Bolton deserves nights like this," the Tunisian international told uefa.com.

Match for anyone
"We believe we will beat them and we can win the trophy. We can beat pretty much any team on our day. We're going into this game with a lot of confidence. We know we are capable of turning them over."

Tunisian fans
With a significant Tunisian community in Marseille, fans from both sides will be willing Jaidi to do well at the Reebok Stadium. But there is no room for sentiment for the 30-year-old centre-back, who is fully focused on earning Bolton a place in the last 16.

No romance
Jaidi said: "It will be a great experience for me as a Tunisian to play against Marseille, a place where there is such a big north African population. We've all got friends and connections in France and it will be great if I am playing. But Marseille are just another team I want to beat and I don't see them in any sort of romantic light."

Niang threat
As a defender it is Jaidi's responsibility to stop the visitors scoring a crucial away goal. He knows he will have his hands full against OM's star striker Mamadou Niang, with whom he has crossed paths before. "Senegal's Niang is one of Marseille's top players. I've played against him before for Tunisia and he's someone we really have to keep an eye on," Jaidi said.

Imposing presence
"He's a good player, quick and physically imposing, and his interplay with the rest of his team is also good. He's strong with his back to goal and is always a threat. But I'm confident that if I focus on my game, I can keep him quiet and help us get a positive result."

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