Marseille and Atalanta played to a thrilling 1-1 draw in the first leg of their Europa League semi-final, setting up an intriguing second leg in Bergamo next Thursday.
Atalanta, who stunned Liverpool in the quarter-finals, took an early lead through Gianluca Scamacca, who capitalized on a defensive lapse to fire past Pau Lopez. However, Marseille responded swiftly, with Chancel Mbemba unleashing a stunning strike from outside the box to level the scores.
The draw leaves the tie finely poised, with Atalanta holding a slight advantage as they seek to reach their first European final. The Italian side has been impressive in this season’s competition, showcasing their attacking prowess and resilience.
Marseille, on the other hand, have been formidable at home, with Paris Saint-Germain being the only visiting team to defeat them at the Velodrome in 90 minutes this season. However, their struggles on the road have been evident, making their semi-final appearance a commendable achievement.
Despite the draw, Marseille coach Jean-Louis Gasset expressed some disappointment, believing his team had chances to secure a victory. “I am not completely satisfied because we had two or three chances to win the match 2-1,” he said. “But it is only half-time in the tie, and we are going to go and give everything in Italy.”
Atalanta coach Gian Piero Gasperini was pleased with his team’s performance, acknowledging Marseille’s strength. “It is a very positive result for us because Marseille were strong,” he said. “They have only lost once here all season, and we found out why that is tonight.”
The second leg in Bergamo promises to be a captivating affair, with both teams aiming to secure a place in the final in Dublin later this month. Atalanta will be favored, but Marseille will be determined to overcome their travel woes and make history.
