Zenden steeled for 'big night' in Porto

Midfielder Boudewijn Zenden is anticipating another "big night" for Olympique de Marseille as the French side take on FC Porto in Group A of the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday.

Slump
Given their poor form in Ligue 1, Marseille's position at the head of the section comes as surprise. The appointment of Erik Gerets has failed to spark a turnaround in domestic fortunes and OM lie a disappointing 19th following Saturday's goalless home draw with FC Lorient. However, with the pressure off in Europe, OM are setting the pace and will qualify for the knockout stage if they win at FC Porto on Tuesday.

Pressure less
"We're top of the group with seven points and the best thing about that is it makes it so much easier to just go out and play," Zenden said. "It's really going to be a great night over there. Porto have got a fantastic stadium with a big pitch and lots of noisy fans. It'll be another big night for us."

'Difficult match'
Marseille lead the group on seven points from three matches, two clear of the Portuguese champions after the two sides played out a 1-1 stalemate at the Stade Vélodrome on 24 October. That game gave Zenden a good view of the threat Porto can pose and he may find himself with an even better one at the Estádio do Dragão if, as expected, he fills in for off-form left-back Taye Taiwo. "It's going to be another difficult match," warned the 31-year-old.

Liverpool disappoint
Zenden will also be keeping a close eye on the night's other match in the section with his old club Liverpool FC needing victory at home to Beşiktaş JK to keep their hopes in the competition alive. Zenden played in Liverpool's defeat against AC Milan in the UEFA Champions League final last May, and confessed to being bewildered by their poor form this season.

'Weird'
"It makes me a bit sad," said Zenden, who spent two years at Anfield before moving to France this summer. "It's weird to see Liverpool struggle in the competition because they're one of the strongest sides in it. Them losing to Beşiktaş [on Matchday 3] helped us a bit, but the group is quite tight and Liverpool are still capable of winning three games. We'll have to see how things go. We just want to focus on ourselves and we're pleased with our position."