They have won their last three European matches there, qualifying each time thanks to the result acquired at home. OM players will play the first leg of their Europa League semi-final against Atalanta Bergamo on Thursday evening (9 p.m.) on their pitch at the Vélodrome stadium. An enclosure, where they dominated Benfica on penalties in the quarter-final, and where the atmosphere promises to be very hot against the Italians. Even hostile for the Transalpines, according to Marseille president Pablo Longoria.
“OM is a passionate team, with a unique environment in Europe. Hats off to Atalanta for the victory at Anfield against Liverpool (3-0, in the quarter-final first leg). But on Thursday, they will experience the hell of the Vélodrome, promises the manager in an interview given Tuesday to the Gazzetta dello Sport. If only home games counted, we would be second in Ligue 1. We had problems away. »
Only one draw and only victories for Marseille at the Vélodrome
Jean-Louis Gasset’s players, who remain on a victory (2-1) Sunday at home against Lens in Ligue 1, have the second best record at home in the elite, behind Lille (36 points) and at the same level than Paris (33). On the European scene, the Marseillais have won all their home matches, with the exception of a draw conceded to the wire (2-2) against Brighton in October.
Since then, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and his partners have dominated AEK Athens, Ajax Amsterdam, Shakhtar Donetsk, Villarreal and Benfica in front of their supporters. They will try to gain the advantage over Atalanta before the return match scheduled in Italy a week later.
Sixth in Serie A, Gian Piero Gasperini’s players will play the final of the Italian Cup in May against Juventus Turin. In the Europa League, they achieved the feat of taking out Liverpool by winning (3-0) in the first leg at Anfield in the quarter before resisting the return (0-1 defeat).
