Marseille-Atalanta, probable lineups and TV times

Bologna, 1 May 2024 - Atalanta in search of history. Thursday 2 May the first leg of the Europa League semi-final with the Marseille worth a significant part of the season, in a chase for that long-awaited trophy, between the Italian Cup and the Europa League, which would represent the icing on the cake of Gian Piero's adventure Gasperini leading the Goddess. Fresh from the feat against Liverpool, totally against predictions, especially the zero-three in the first leg, the Nerazzurri will try to continue their European run against Olympique who eliminated the Benfica. The French are betting everything on Europe given that in Ligue 1 they are seventh with 44 points, two behind Lens, sixth and seven behind Nice fifth which currently occupies the last useful position for the cups. The Dea, however, is in play on all three fronts because it is sixth in the league, two points behind Roma, which occupies the last place for the Champions League, and six points behind fourth-placed Bologna. Furthermore, Gasperini's team has a game to make up against Fiorentina at the end of the season. The Nerazzurri, however, could access the major European competition by winning the Europa League.  

Probable lineups

Mirror modules for the two coaches Gasset e Gasperini. The Marseillais with former Roma player Pau Lopez in goal, Murillo, Mbemba and Balerdi will be in front, while Clauss and Henrique will be wingers in midfield and two old acquaintances of Italian football in Veretout and Kodogbia will be in the middle. As for the attack, Harit and Aubameyang support Moumbagna. Gasperini will focus on the typical formation. Scalvini, Djimsiti and Kolasinac in front of Musso, in midfield de Roon and Ederson as center midfielders, Zappacosta and Ruggeri as wingers. Up front there is room for Koopmeiners and De Ketelaere in support of Scamacca. MARSEILLE (3-4-2-1): Pau Lopez; Murillo, Mbemba, Balerdi; Clauss, Veretout, Kondogbia, Luis Henrique; Harit; Aubameyang, Moumbagna. Coach: Gasset. ATALANTA (3-4-2-1): Musso; Scalvini, Djimsiti, Kolasinac; Zappacosta, de Roon, Ederson, Ruggeri; Koopmeiners, De Ketelaere; Scamacca. Coach: Gasperini.  

Previous

Atalanta he never addressed the Marseille throughout its history, but has played 7 matches against French teams with a score of five wins, one draw and one defeat. There are two precedents with the Metz with two victories in the 1978 Intertoto Cup, also two previous victories with him Strasbourg, again in the Intertoto, and two more victories in 1967, the previous two with the Lyon in the 17/18 Europa League with a draw and a victory, while the last precedent is in the quarterfinals of the 2020 Champions League, in the midst of the pandemic in a single match, when the psg eliminated Atalanta in the final moments. Marseille, however, has already eliminated an Italian team in the UEFA Cup semi-final. We must go back to 1999 when in the double comparison with the Bologna it ended 0-0 in France and 1-1 in Italy, a late penalty from Blanc, which earned them qualification for the final in Moscow against Parma, then lost, due to the away goals rule.  

The words of the technicians

Great certificate of esteem from Jean Louis Gasset, Marseille coach, for Gian Piero's Atalanta Gasperini. La Dea, according to the transalpine coach, is the best of the four semi-finalists: “They are an excellent example of how to work, they have found the right alchemy - his words - In my opinion, Atalanta is the best of the four semi-finalists and we will have to give everything. Everyone said she would go out with Liverpool, but instead they won three nil at Anfield. There are quality players, in Italy they are always at the top of the rankings and have a clear identity. It will not be easy". Gasperini, for his part, wants to take pressure off his team, because the predictions on paper have the right value and it is always the field that speaks: "The role of favorites counts for little, the field counts - his words - We certainly have more credibility for having eliminated the Liverpool but we're starting from scratch. Our first aim is to have a good first leg and not repeat what we did in Florence. We will need the courage to face matches like this." Atalanta's great season remains, but winning a trophy would give even greater prestige to a cycle that led the club to move from the fight for survival, and from the so-called lift with B, to establishing itself permanently in the noble areas of Europe. Now, however, the work needs to be completed: “The season is extraordinary and we have played many decisive matches - Gasp again - Both teams deserve to be here and there is great consideration and respect. We are in all the competitions and it is a credit. Market rumors? This is not the case, we are in a good situation and we are focused on the match." Two thousand fans from Bergamo also supported the Goddess, another demonstration of affection: “It is a source of great pride for us and we are happy, just as there were so many at Anfield. We will play in another fantastic stadium and with this passion behind us it is an honour. Certificates of esteem from opponents? They please us and we will have another opportunity to show off. The goal is to get to the final." As for individuals, Scalvini it is recovered and there are no problems Chess, who will be a center forward with The Ketelaere e koopmeiners in support. Defection for Trays who is influenced: “Scalvini is recovered and we are quite advanced with the choice of formation. All those called up are 100%. Only Bakker is affected. It will be Musso's turn in goal."  

Where to see it on TV

The first leg match of the Europa League semi-final between Olympique Marseille and Atalanta will be played at the Vélodrome stadium in Marseille on Thursday 2 May at 21pm. Paid live coverage is scheduled on Sky channels, in particular on Sky Sport Calcio, channel 202, and Sky Sport 253. Streaming on Sky Go, Now TV and Dazn.

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