Marseille eager to continue revival

Marseille manager Didier Deschamps wants to restart the season with aplomb as his side face a crucial set of games to begin 2012.

The Ligue 1 giants began the campaign in abysmal form, claiming just one win in their opening 10 games.

But a revival leading into the mid-season break saw Deschamps’ men climb to sixth place in the standings and qualify for the last 16 of the Champions League.

“During this period, we will face opponents who are ahead of us in the standings , against the teams who we lost against in the first half of the season,” Deschamps said of upcoming league matches against champions Lille, Stade Rennes and Olympique Lyon.

“We are back on track. We’ve rectified what we did in August and September. We are still a few points behind, obviously.”

“We are getting closer and these three games will be decisive. They will set the pace for the second part of season.”

Deschamps’ side play Paris side Red Star in the Coupe de France on Saturday before a Coupe de Ligue clash with Caen on Tuesday.

They return to Ligue 1 action against Lille on Saturday week.