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Real Madrid midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni was present in a pre-match press conference ahead of Marseille’s trip to the Spanish giants in their opening Champions League clash of the season. The Frenchman has stated that Marseille are a “huge Ligue 1 team”, and expects that Xabi Alonso’s side will encounter difficulties against Roberto De Zerbi’s _Olympiens_ on Tuesday evening.
_“Marseille are a huge team in Ligue 1, I’m expecting a tough match. I don’t know if all Spaniards know OM, but they are an extremely popular team in France,”_ added the former Girondins de Bordeaux man at a press conference transcribed by **[RMC Sport](https://rmcsport.bfmtv.com/football/ligue-des-champions/direct-real-madrid-om-j-1-suivez-en-live-toutes-les-informations-avant-le-match-de-ligue-des-champions_LN-202509150412.html)**. _“Lots of people have asked me for tickets to come and watch the match. As a Frenchman and a Real Madrid fan, I’m really looking forward to this competition.”_
_“I know Marseille. They will cause us difficulties; they are top-level players. We must demonstrate that we are a powerful team. I remember these matches with Bordeaux against Marseille, At the Velodrome, the team is very strong. The atmosphere is different. We know we have to play a very good game to win,”_ finished the France international.
**[GFFN](https://www.getfootballnewsfrance.com/) | George Boxall**