Marseille v Milan preview

Deschamps: Looking to make history

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Marseille lock horns with AC Milan in their opening UEFA Champions League match.

Real Madrid are firm favourites to emerge as Group C winners and Milan have also been tipped to progress to the last 16, but Marseille will feel they can break into the top two.

The French side have made a fine start to the new season and are unbeaten in their opening five Ligue 1 games.

Manager Didier Deschamps will be without the injured Bakari Kone (knee) and Garry Bocaly (thigh) but he is aiming for the same outcome as when Marseille beat Milan in the very first Champions League final.

He said: "We have a chance to make history and I hope that history will be as happy as in 1993."

Milan news

Milan have struggled during the early part of the season, losing 4-0 to fierce rivals Inter before being held to a goalless draw by Livorno at the weekend.

New boss Leonardo, who replaced Carlo Aneclotti over the summer, is not too worried about recent performances but remains wary of Marseille.

"I have no doubts my team has got a strong structure," said Leonardo. "Marseille is a very good team that can play well together, and with a lot of strong points."

Leonardo has a number of injury concerns, with Christian Abbiati (knee) and Davide Di Gennaro (toe) both sidelined.

Gennaro Gattuso (ankle) and Marco Borriello (back) will also miss the journey to Stade Velodrome.