OM was courageous, OM stripped down and OM won. What efforts for the Marseillais, to win 1-0 then on penalties (4-2) in this quarter-final return of the Europa League at the Vélodrome. This Thursday, April 18 is a day of celebration in Marseille, because the Olympian club has written a new page in its European history.
4 mins
OM and Benfica, two clubs whose heavy histories seem to have weighed on the legs of the players in this match. Those of the Marseillais were initially shaky as they approached the opposing goal, then those of the 22 men on the pitch grew immensely heavier as the minutes ticked by. It was ultimately Marseille who qualified for the semi-finals of the Europa League, after a night and effort. The Olympians did so much this Thursday that they ended up doing enough.
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In a home return match of a European Cup qualifying round with a goal to make up, it is obvious to put on the pressure from the start. To ride the wave, enjoy the scorching atmosphere of a Vélodrome which has had good times in C1 and which demands continental vibrations. So Jean-Louis Gasset’s men worked to give them to him as quickly as possible.
Thanks to a dominant midfield from the start and a Valentin Rongier with numerous ball recoveries which allowed the Vélodrome to ignite, the Bleu et Blanc pushed. But apart from Iliman Ndiaye, who quickly turned around at the entrance to the area to trigger a too-soft shot (8th) and a volley from Pierre Emerick Aubameyang after a high recovery (24th), not much to get involved in under the tooth. The pressure is there, the atmosphere too, not the thrills around Anatoliy Trubin’s cage.
The fault lies with an experienced Benfiquist defense led by a never-panicked Nicolas Otamendi. Whether in the air or under pressure on the restart, he made no mistake and put out a few fires with his hinge. Well helped by the technical imprecision of certain Marseille attackers, starting with Amine Harit whose transmissions lacked everything.
Lots of effort and one goal
One might have believed that Gasset was thinking of removing the Moroccan international, but in the offensive sector, it was first Ounahi who gave up his place before the hour mark. Soglo was also replaced to bring in Luis Henrique and Faris Moumbagna in order to bring weight in front. The new blood brought vitality and great opportunities, like Geoffrey Kondogbia’s shot, miraculously stopped by Trubin (70th). So much vitality that it was Moumbagna who scored the opening goal and equalized (Benfica won 2-1 in the first leg).
After the last forces thrown into the battle, without calculation, and which the Marseillais will really need in Ligue 1 for the end of the season, the Vélodrome was in overtime. An extra half hour dominated by the fear of conceding a goal, which would have been synonymous for both parties with abandoning their dreams of the last four. Cramps and entries from kids aged 17 and 19 later, like Lille and Aston Villa earlier in the day, it was necessary to decide on penalties. It was time for all 22 players to go there, because Veretout’s legs were completely paralyzed while Gasset had used his six changes.
As a symbol, it was Angel Di Maria, the former Parisian who had increased the score in the first leg, who missed his first shot on goal, sending the ball onto the post. After which, the feet remained sure and the shoulders very strong so that, each in turn, the Olympians transformed their attempts, until Pau Lopez drew a firm right hand in front of Antonio Silva. Luis Henrique just had to finish the job. He didn’t need to be asked to send his club to the last four and an entire city to seventh heaven.