8:45 p.m. – Stranded outside
If it has made the Vélodrome its garden, Olympique de Marseille is experiencing serious difficulties far from its supporters. This season, he has only four away victories in all competitions, including only one in Europa League, against AEK Athens on November 9 (2-0). The Marseille club has not won on the road since March 2 in Clermont (5-1).
20:40 – Atalanta often scores
This season, Atalanta Bergamo has scored 48 goals at home in the space of 23 matches. The club coached by Gian Piero Gasperini has only remained silent twice in front of its supporters.
20:35 – A defeat at home
Atalanta Bergamo has only one defeat on home soil this season in the Europa League. It was in the quarter-final return against Liverpool (0-1) but the Bergamasques had done most of their work away from home since they triumphed at Anfiled (3-0).
20:30 – A weak success
After their draw in the first leg, Olympique de Marseille will have to defy the statistics to reach the final. Indeed, only 20% of French clubs that failed to win in the first leg of a European semi-final managed to qualify subsequently (5/25). The last one to achieve this was none other than OM in…2004 against Newcastle.
20:25 – Like in 2018?
Olympique de Marseille is one match away from reaching the Europa League final. This has not happened to him since 2018, the date of his last participation in the final phase of the competition. At this stage of the competition, Thauvin and his partners had dismissed RB Salzburg (2-0, 1-2). Gigot and others will be keen to imitate their predecessors whose epic ended with a clear defeat in the final (0-3 against Atlético de Madrid).
20:22 – Two changes in the composition of Atalanta Bergamo
Gian Piero Gasperini adjusted his team to start the Europa League semi-final second leg. Kolasinac has not recovered and gives way to Djimisiti who shifts to the left in the three-man defense of the Bergamasques. Hien is integrated in the center of the device and De Roon moves back to the right. At the heart of the game, Koopmeiners also goes down a notch next to Ederson. No change in the lanes with Ruggeri on the left and Zappacosta on the right. In attack, Scamacca and De Ketelaere are accompanied by Lookman.
20:20 – A frustrating draw for OM
Last week, Olympique de Marseille failed to do better than a draw at home (1-1). At the Vélodrome, the Marseillais initially suffered in the first quarter of an hour, quickly conceding the opening score by Scamacca. Mbemba brought his team back to the heights but they then lacked success like a poorly negotiated counter by Aubameyang or a shot on the crossbar from Ounahi.
20:15 – Act II
This is only the second time that Atalanta Bergamo and Olympique de Marseille have met on the European stage in an official match.
20:13 – An unsurprising composition for OM
For this Europa League semi-final return, Jean-Louis Gasset can field his (almost) typical team. As expected, he returns to a three-man defense with Gigot, captain, supervised by Mbemba and Balerdi. The corridors will be occupied on the left by Merlin and on the right by Clauss. In the middle, Veretout and Kondogbia form the recovery pair with Harit positioned a little higher up to link with the offensive front where Ndiaye and Aubameyang are positioned.
20:10 – A Spaniard blowing the whistle
The match will be refereed by the Spaniard Jesus Gil Manzano. He will be assisted by his compatriots Diego Barbero and Ángel Nevado. The Ukrainian Mykola Balakin will officiate as 4th referee. Video refereeing will be provided by the Iberian pair Juan Martinez Munuera-Alejandro Hernández.
8:00 p.m. – Welcome
Good evening everyone and welcome to follow this Europa League semi-final return. Olympique de Marseille challenges Atalanta Bergamo in Italy.