Deprived of its supporters but motivated as never before, Olympique de Marseille takes on Benfica Lisbon in the quarter-final first leg of the Europa League.
Don’t ruin everything. Olympique de Marseille is tackling its last major challenge of a season which has definitely not gone very well with this quarter-final ofEuropa League facing Benfica Lisbon as a lifeline. However, the first leg, which will take place this Thursday April 11 in the Portuguese capital, will take place in a particular context.
A somewhat truncated party
While theOM is delighted to find this level of competition, a grain of sand in the form of a political exchange has come to dampen Marseille’s enthusiasm. Indeed, on Tuesday evening, the Portuguese authorities decided to cancel the tickets of Marseille supporters. A direct response to the prefectural decree of the Prefect of Bouches-du-Rhône published last Friday stipulating a travel ban on Lisbon fans to Marseille in view of the Europa League quarter-final second leg (April 18).
“It would be annoying if the supporters weren’t there. That’s not what football is. We love competition and the supporters are part of it”regretted Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang at a press conference, echoed by Jean-Louis Gasset. “Football is a party. It makes sense for the fans to be with us. I hope people will find the solution to make the party a success.”
No offense to them, Benfica coach Roger Schmidt also deplored the situation, the Marseillais will be alone to face the Estadio da Luz, like one last summer during their trip to Athens, at 3e preliminary round of the Champions League (0-1)
“It’s a privilege”
If the Marseille songs will be lacking and will create a void, Jean-Louis Gasset’s men should not, however, lack motivation. “They approach this European Cup in a different state of mind”notes the coach.
This season, OM presents a double face. One just starting out in Ligue 1 and the other conquering in the Europa League. “The European Cup was able to breathe new life into us, hoping that this will be the case once again and that it will be until the end (…) It’s a bit of a ray of sunshine for our season. That’s why we have to hang on and give everything”, advances the Gabonese attacker. Having become the top scorer in the history of the competition in the round of 16, Aubameyang will once again have to set an example for his team against an opponent with a rich European past and who has not lost at home in the Europa League since December. …2018.
This data says a lot about the performance that will have to be achieved during this trip, to which is added Marseille’s recurring difficulties on the road. “The first leg will be super important. At home, we are capable of anything, we saw it against Villarreal”evokes Aubameyang, who has not forgotten that after the festival at the Vélodrome on the first leg (4-0), OM were very scared on the return and had been led 0-3 by the Spaniards (1 -3 in the end).
Murillo and Mbemba available?
To do well, OM will nevertheless have to tinker with a squad that sticks out its tongue. “When I arrived, I had a right side with Mbemba, Clauss and Sarr. I thought it was the good complement to Aubameyang, who likes to start more from the left. Our right was injured, we have to manages to find solutions. But we miss Ismaila Sarr enormously”, explained Gasset, a little fatalistic. Indeed, his right flank appears bare without the Senegalese and the French full-back, injured in selection in March.
For his part, Mbemba is not yet completely ruled out for this quarter-final first leg. The Congolese is recovering from his bruised left knee and a decision should be made on a possible start at the very last moment. His defensive solidity, while Gigot and Balerdi limp, would be an undeniable plus against Di Maria and others. OM are also watching for the return of Murillo, another reinforcement behind, Gasset not being able to count on Ulisses Garcia, Jean Onana and Pape Gueye who are not qualified for the competition.
“It is a privilege to play in a quarter-final of the European Cup. The players must realize the event and the level that we must have. We must raise the level to the height of the event”, calls Gasset. If OM falters on its foundations, the magic of Europe can sweep everything away.