After the upheavals, the incidents and the numerous changes, OM is ready to vibrate on the field, Thursday May 2. The Marseille club hosts Atalanta, an Italian club from the city of Bergamo, in the semi-final first leg of the Europa League.
After a roaring European campaign in a contrasting season, the Marseille team will seek to offer themselves a new European final, six years after the last, lost to Atlético de Madrid (3-0).
The Europa League, more than a consolation prize
Olympique de Marseille alternates this season between the exciting and the downright frustrating. After the quickly aborted experience of coach Marcelino, then the inconclusive interlude of Gennaro Gattuso, OM concluded its season with a third coach, Jean-Louis Gasset, who was able to provide stability, even if he starts from too far to work miracles in the championship.
The context of a European decisive match is undoubtedly more suitable for this team which has just dismissed Shakthar Donetsk, Villarreal then Benfica, three teams experienced in European games. In the event of a final victory, OM, the only French club three times finalist in the C3 (1999, 2004 and 2018), could secure a place in the Champions League.
The Vélodrome as a fortress
If OM 2023-2024 shows a certain inconsistency, its solidity at home is one of its rare guarantees. Marseille has only lost once in 23 matches at the Vélodrome this season, against the French champion, Paris Saint-Germain, on March 31 (0-2). On the European scene, the results are even more flattering, with six victories and a draw, at the beginning of October against Brighton (3-3).
Atalanta, favorite on paper?
If the Bergamo club is not the flashiest name in European football, it remains one of the strongest in Italy. Under Gian Piero Gasperini, the Dea imposes an attractive, very intense and offensive game.
Coming out of its group undefeated, Atalanta remains on a top performance after taking out the favorite Liverpool, humiliated on its lawn in the first leg (0-3). The transalpine club is not at its first attempt and remains a regular at the European final stages with a quarter-final of the Champions League in 2020 (lost to PSG) and a 1/8th the following season (eliminated by Real Madrid).