Jantschke: Europa League is different challenge
Bundesliga and Ligue 1 form count for little when Borussia Monchengladbach host Marseille in the Europa League, according to the German team's full-back Tony Jantschke.
Gladbach have suffered a slump in recent weeks, slipping to 13th in the table, while Marseille have been in the top two of the French league from day one.
But European football is a different story and an occasion for the Foals to put their domestic woes to one side, says Jantschke.
``It doesn't make a difference where each team is in their respective leagues when it comes to the Europa League,'' said the Germany Under-21 international.
``You could see that last year with Chelsea. They came sixth in the league, but they won the Champions League.
``Marseille are certainly really good opponents and it will be a real test of us, but we definitely want to try to win it.''
Gladbach's European form is not too different from their league struggles with a defeat and a draw from their first two games, making tomorrow's match at the Borussia Park Stadion all the more important.
``I said in the good times that there would be bad times and the important thing is that these bad times don't last for long,'' he added on his club's website.
``If you look at the standings, and that it is a home game for us, then the three points have got to stay here.''
Not according to Marseille coach Elie Baup.
``We're up against a rival for qualification,'' he said. ``Fenerbahce are favourites to win the group and, without being disrespectful to Limassol, we are playing for second place with Monchengladbach.''
``It's going to be important that we play a good game there before our home match.''
Baup has been forced to leave Souleymane Diawara behind due to injury along with Andre-Pierre Gignac and Leyti N'Diaye.