UEFA Europa Leauge, Semi-Final, 02/05/2024
Pablo Longoria had promised hell would await Atalanta as they arrived at the Stade Vélodrome. The Olympique de Marseille president was referencing the impressive home record his side have maintained despite their trials and turmoils this season. It is their noisy secret weapon, their advantage when all else seems to be crumbling to chaos.
And as Atalanta strode forth with their first attack there was a slither of silence before the noise once again returned in full force. Gianluca Scamacca had been the perfect target man, using his physique to gain control of a long ball, before completing the attack with a tidy but powerful finish.
The Véldrome can rarely be silenced for long. The faithful could not be shaken from their devotion and their reward was a wonderful strike from an unlikely source. A well-worked passing move from a short corner found Chancel Mbemba on the edge of the box.
The defender perhaps with Emmanuel Macron’s message of good luck ringing through his ears took an audacious chance and his shot sailed into the post where it bounded home. Marseille kept up the pressure and hit their guests with this sustained intensity which looked as if it unsettled Atalanta out of their usual rhythms.
Once again a set piece looked as if it had opened up the Italian side as the ball fell to the most dangerous player on the pitch. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang collected the ball but his shot was left wanting and scrappily taken. Again the striker was the recipient of a dangerous opportunity as he spearheaded a counter-attack but his shot trickled wide.
The second half began with another chance from Aubameyang. The forward was keen to add to his already historic Europa League total. The record top scorer in the competition was yet to truly threaten Juan Musso in the Atalanta goal.
The guests began to control the ball more and Marseille were limited to shots from distance which strangely enough looked to be their most threatening chances. Scamacca was brought off early with Ademola Lookman coming on for the goalscorer.
Lookman was electric as he came onto the pitch providing an impetus that the Atalanta manager, Gian Piero Gasperini felt was missing from the battering ram striker. Jean-Louis Gasset went for his own changes as Faris Moumbagna came on for Ismaïla Sarr, the winger’s last involvement turning the ball into the net only to look up and see the offside flag.
Iliman Ndiaye entered the game for Amine Harit and struck the crossbar almost with his first involvement, his shot a fraction off as he slipped to the floor. Before Moumbagna seemed to get the better of Musso rushing out from his goal, and likewise slipped before he could punish the mistake.
Marseille pushed for the final goal as the minutes ticked to their conclusion. There was a feeling of necessity to this. The club have not won away from home in any of the knockout rounds. Their away form has made life difficult for them and a win would allow a bit of breathing space that was not afforded them.
Marseille had promised hell and Atalanta had survived. A draw was a good result, but if it was good enough for Marseille would only be clear next Thursday.
Pau López, 5
Michael Amir Murillo 5
Leonardo Balerdi, 5 – A mistake from him and Murillo in the Scamacca goal. Balerdi rushed forward while Murillo didn’t pay attention to where Scamacca was moving. Both worked together to lose the striker’s run leading to him having an easy run on goal.
Chancel Mbemba, 7
Jonathan Clauss, 5
Jordan Veretout, 6 – A solid game in the heart of the Marseille midfield, was instrumental in some dangerous attacking moments.
Geoffrey Kondogbia, 6
Amine Harit, 5
Luis Henrique, 4
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, 4 – A quiet night for the striker who never was able to threaten Atalanta. He had a flurry of chances but was never able to convert them into dangerous shots.
Ismaïla Sarr, 4
GFFN | Nick Hartland