Lewandowski aims at Arsenal after manhandling Marseille

Robert Lewandowski said Borussia Dortmund must build on its home win over Marseille at Arsenal in its next Champions League match if it wants to repeat last season's run to the final.

Having lost 2-1 at Napoli two weeks ago in its opening Group F match, Tuesday's 3-0 win over Marseille leaves Dortmund second in the standings ahead of its away match at leader Arsenal on Oct 22.

Having thrashed Freiburg 5-0 at home on Saturday, Dortmund picked up where it left off in the Bundesliga with Poland striker Lewandowski scoring a double and Germany winger Marco Reus grabbing the other.

"We are satisfied with the result, but we have to repeat this performance the next time we come out," said Lewandowski, who upped his tally to 13 goals in 21 Champions League appearances.

"We executed our plan perfectly. Marseille didn't have any real chances today, which is very satisfying."

Having lost home and away to Marseille in its Champions League campaign two years ago, Dortmund gained some revenge at the Westfalenstadion.

Dortmund had coach Jurgen Klopp confined to the stands after receiving a UEFA ban for verbally abusing the referee at Napoli two weeks ago.

"It was a great game and we played well against a quality opponent," said Klopp, who was allowed no contact with his team until 15 minutes after the final whistle.

"Now we are in a solid position in our group.

"If the team plays the way they did today, I'm allowed to relax sitting in the stands."

Goalkeeper Roman Weidenfeller, who was sent off in the first half in Naples, was suspended. That allowed Australian Mitchell Langerak to start his first Champions League match.

Compared to its 2011 defeat at home to Marseille, this was a different performance from Dortmund, which had raced in to a 2-0 lead, only to lose 3-2, conceding the winner three minutes from time, two years ago.

"Borussia Dortmund is a very good team; we had good intentions but performed below par," said Marseille defender Rod Fanni.

The host took the lead with 19 minutes gone from a fast counter attack with Marseille pushing forward from a free-kick.

Dortmund's headline offseason signing Henrikh Mkhitaryan put Reus into space and with the guests' defence in disarray, Germany under-21 left back Erik Durm, in for the injured Marcel Schmelzer, squared for Lewandowski.

The Poland star, who became the first player to score four goals in a Champions League semifinal against Real Madrid last April, tapped home.

Even though Elie Baup-coached OM just shaded the possession, it was outplayed in terms of scoring opportunities with Dortmund enjoying 18 shots on goal compared to the French side's seven.

Reus claimed his goal in the 52nd minute when he curled in a free kick which Mandanda made a mess of saving as the ball bobbled over the line.

Lewandowski claimed his second when he drilled home a penalty after center back Nicolas N'Koulou hauled down Reus in the area 11 minutes from time.

(China Daily 10/03/2013 page11)