UEFA Champions League, Matchday 1

Orange Vélodrome, Marseille

Olympique de Marseille - Olympiacos FC

- Kick-off at 21:00 CET (19:00 GMT)

The fact that few people would have been surprised to see Thauvin loop a trademark left-footed curler into Benoît Costil's top corner from 25 metres out in the 3-1 win over Bordeaux on Saturday did nothing to detract from the sheer beauty of the strike.

AVB: 'He's doing very well'

Thauvin, who also provided the free-kick assist for Jordan Amavi's header in that same match, is on fire right now, directly involved in seven of OM's last ten goals. And, given main striker Dario Benedetto's goal drought and the disciplinary trouble of playmaker Dimitri Payet, coach André Villas-Boas is looking to the 27-year-old to also make his mark as OM return to Champions League action for the first time since 2013-14.

"I hope he can start this competition as well as he started in the league," said André Villas-Boas, for whom Thauvin has scored two goals and provided three assists so far this season. "He's doing very well at this early stage, and that can make the difference on Wednesday. It's up to the players to take their level up a notch, to show a bit more. We are going to need this competition in order to grow. In the Champions League, you have to be attentive to every situation. If the league is Florian's back yard, if that's not excessive, I hope he can continue to show his talent in the Champions League. He is very motivated."

Thauvin: 'Give it our all'

Thauvin is tipped to play his customary role on the right-hand side of attack in a 4-3-3, with Benedetto through the middle and Payet - out of action through suspension in the league of late - on the left, and is clearly looking forward to it.

"We hope to have the best possible run, to play, to have fun," said the man who scored the goal of weekend in Round 7 to help his side to sixth place. "It's a great source of happiness for the club, the supporters and the players to return to the Champions League. We're going to give it our all, but we haven't set ourselves any specific objectives."

With Boubacar Kamara suspended - thanks to a card received in the last match of OM's Europa League campaign in 2018-19 - Kevin Strootman is tipped for a rare start in defensive midfield, alongside Morgan Sanson and playmaker Michael Cuisance, who impressed on debut against Bordeaux.

Le Petit Vélo returns

Meanwhile Olympiacos, who sit second in the Greek league following a 4-0 drubbing of Atromitos at the weekend, will be captained by OM old boy Mathieu Valbuena, with former Rennes and Saint-Etienne man Yann M'Vila in defensive midfield.

Probable teams

Olympique de Marseille: Mandanda (c); Sakai, A. Gonzalez, Caleta-Car, Amavi; M. Sanson, Strootman, Cuisance; Thauvin, Benedetto, Payet

Olympiacos FC: Sa; Rafinha, R. Semedo, O. Ba, Holebas; Bouchalakis, M'Vila, Mo. Camara; Randelovic, El-Arabi, Valbuena (c)