Cyrille de la Morinerie / Photo credits: SYLVAIN THOMAS / AFP
After PSG in the Champions League, OM reached the last four in the Europa League: the Olympians, who scored during regulation time, eliminated Benfica Lisbon on Thursday evening during the penalty shootout (4 TAB- 2). OM reached the semi-finals of a European Cup for the 8th time in its history and now dreams of reaching the final like in 2018.
The OM players stayed on the field for very long minutes to celebrate their qualification in a melting Vélodrome. The Marseillais first managed to score in the 79th minute thanks to Faris Moumbagna to give themselves extra time, before pulling out all the stops during the penalty shootout. After a missed shot from Angel Di Maria which hit the post, Marseille goalkeeper Pau Lopes, heroic during the match, stopped a Portuguese shot and thanks to an unstoppable strike, Luis Henrique sent Marseille to the semi-finals.
“PSG and OM in the semi-final, it’s almost a dream,” exclaims Jacques Vendroux
Exhausted but happy Marseille people like Olympian striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang interviewed by Canal+. “Honestly, it wasn’t easy but we fought as a team, we communicated with the public and we got through like that,” he says.
OM reached the semi-finals of a European Cup for the 8th time in its history despite injuries and turbulence this season, recalls journalist and great voice of Europe 1 Jacques Vendroux. “Marseille is having an average season in the league and was eliminated very quickly in the Coupe de France. I think it’s a great reward for their coach Jean-Louis Gasset. PSG and OM in the semi-final are almost a dream,” he rejoices.
Marseille now facing Atalanta Bergamo
Marseille is having an exciting end to the season. The Marseillais, 9th in Ligue 1, will try to redress the situation and face Toulouse on Saturday. But the big challenge for the Olympians will be to reach the final of the Europa League in Dublin. But be careful, we will have to get rid of Atalanta Bergamo. The Italians eliminated Liverpool to everyone’s surprise and will be serious clients for the Marseillais. The first leg will take place at the Vélodrome on May 2 and the return match on May 9 in Italy.