Marseille and Atalanta left everything open after a thrilling match

Marseille and Atalanta starred in an exciting battle of power-to-power at the Vélodrome that ended in a draw (1-1) and left the resolution of the Europa League semifinals for the second leg. The rivalry, busy from start to finish, allowed us to see the best version of each team, each with its own weapons but unable to take advantage of the comeback due to the forwards’ mistakes. Marseille, more pressing, perhaps deserved more of the prize.

Atalanta imposed its game plan on a good start. The game started calmly from the back and accelerated from the final third, where Koopmeiners, De Ketelaere and Ederson appeared, unmarked for Kondogbia and company. Using that formula, Scamacca’s 0-1 was born in the 10th minute The striker was sweet and took advantage of a good pass filtered by Koopmeiners to beat Pau López with a dry and tight shot at the long post.

The goal had an anesthetizing effect on Gasperini’s team and motivated Marseille, who took a step forward and began to win duels and second plays that generated strategies and some corner kicks. In one of them the 1-1 action was born. A short corner caught Atalanta out of position and centre-back Mbemba, from the front, hit an impossible shot for Musso (20′).

Throughout the flood, Marseille had options to take the lead. The visiting defense could not find an antidote for Aubameyang’s mobility, which posed many dangers on the left. At the end of half-time, the former Barça player had a very clear one-on-one on a counterattack but missed his shot too far.

At the end of the break, Atalanta took a step forward but Marseille did not take their foot off the accelerator, leading to a furious second half full of alternatives on the part of both teams, with the match completely broken in several stages. Lookman’s entry for an unprecedented Scamacca since his goal brought more dynamism and imbalance to the Dea attack. The Nigerian, pure power, created a clear chance by removing two rival defenders but his right hand rose.

However, the game was at the legs of Aubameyang, unstoppable all night and in one of his best plays he gave the ball to the recently introduced Ounahi, whose shot from the balcony of the area was spitted by the crossbar when sold Musso.

Grasset and Gasperini’s changes prevented the match from falling, but the forwards’ lack of accuracy in the last few meters prevented the scoreboard from moving. Marseille and Atalanta will play for a ticket to the Dublin final in Bergamo next Thursday.