Still alive. Trailing 2-0 after 52 minutes at the Estadio da Luz in the first leg, Marseille came back to give themselves a greater chance of remaining in the Europa League at the end of the return, Thursday April 18 in a boiling Vélodrome stadium . Finally beaten 2-1, the Olympians were only a small goal behind at kick-off and could rely on their good end to the match in Lisbon.
Victory or elimination
The removal of the away goal rule has simplified the possible scenarios. Defeated 2-1 in Portugal, the Marseillais have no other choice than victory. If they lose or draw, OM will be eliminated in the quarter-finals of the Europa League. In the event of a goal success, it’s time for extra time, while a larger victory would offer the Olympians qualification at the end of 90 minutes. Jean-Louis Gasset’s men therefore know what they have to do: win.
Marseille can no longer do it
After starting his mandate with five consecutive victories, Jean-Louis Gasset has just had five losses in a row. Still facing renowned opponents, of course (Villarreal, Rennes, Paris, Lille and Benfica), but the dynamic is not at its best before approaching this quarter-final second leg of the Europa League. Reason for hope, the technician knows what to do to restart the Olympian machine. Before the return play-off against Shakhtar Donetsk, OM had not won any of their previous seven meetings.
The Vélodrome fortress
Only one defeat in 21 home games in all competitions, against PSG on March 31: OM’s record at home brings hope to supporters before this crucial match. If the Vélodrome was the scene of the elimination in the preliminary round of the Champions League on penalties (after a 2-1 victory during regulation time), it vibrated throughout the European campaign with a 2-2 draw against Brighton, then victories against AEK Athens (3-1), Ajax (4-3), Shakhtar Donetsk (3-1), then Villarreal (4-0). OM have therefore always scored at least three goals in their last four home matches in C3 and must maintain this pace to reach the last four of the competition.