Atalanta vs Marseille. Prediction and Preview. Probable Lineups, Team News, Stats, and more

Atalanta BC will host Olympique de Marseille in the UEFA Europa League semi-final return match at the Gewiss Stadium. The fixture will take place on Friday, May 10, beginning at 00:30 IST.

Parimatch News will tell you everything you need to know ahead of the upcoming match.

Atalanta News & Current Form: 

Atalanta continues to impress, showcasing a commendable performance in the latter half of the season. Gian Piero Gasperini has adeptly tailored motivational strategies to enhance squad depth and extract optimal results from his team. The Italian tactician has seized the opportunity to maximize the strengths of his proteges.

La Dea have ascended to fifth place in the Serie A standings and currently hold promising prospects for qualification to the upcoming UEFA Champions League. AS Roma, occupying sixth place, share an equal number of points but have played one more match. Moreover, the home team has suffered only two defeats in 2024 and boasts a consecutive two-game winning streak at their stadium, triumphing over ACF Fiorentina (4:1) and Empoli FC (2:0).

Top scorer of Atalanta BC – Gianluca Scamacca

In the recent encounter on Monday, the Italian club had to toil in Salerno, yet the favourites managed to secure their third consecutive league victory (2:1). Second-half goals from Gianluca Scamacca and Teun Koopmeiners enabled Gasperini’s men to overcome US Salernitana.

The Bergamo-based collective has netted 63 goals in Serie A, securing the third position in the league, while conceding 38 goals, placing them sixth in terms of goals conceded. In the Coppa Italia, the team has progressed to the final, where they will face Juventus FC on May 15th.

Regarding European competitions, La Dea have showcased remarkable success. They clinched the top spot in the group stage, surpassing their quartet counterparts – Sporting CP, SK Sturm Graz, and Raków Częstochowa. The Italian club remained undefeated, conceding only four goals, the second-lowest in this stage, trailing behind the exceptional Bayer 04 Leverkusen (3).

In the round of 16, Atalanta once again faced the Portuguese club. The teams drew once in Lisbon (1:1), while the hosts emerged victorious in Italy (2:1). Interestingly, the scoreline of both fixtures mirrored their encounters in the group stage, where Gasperini’s side secured an away victory (2:1) and a home draw (1:1) in autumn.

In the quarter-finals, the Nerazzurri overcame Liverpool FC. The Reds suffered a significant defeat at home (0:3), and their minimal victory in Italy (1:0) proved inadequate for progression to the next stage.

The first leg of the semi-final against Marseille ended in a draw away from home (1:1). The game lacked significant events, with both teams evidently keeping the return fixture in Bergamo in mind. Atalanta opened the scoring through their leading goal-scorer, Gianluca Scamacca, in the 11th minute, but failed to capitalize further.

Nine minutes later, Chancel Mbemba, playing the rest of the season on loan, brilliantly struck from distance, hitting the post before finding the net behind the Italian goalkeeper Juan Musso. Consequently, the scoreline remained unchanged until the final whistle.

After the match, Atalanta’s head coach Gasperini acknowledged Marseille’s resilience, understanding why they had only lost one home game this season (against Paris Saint-Germain).

Speaking of absent players, it’s worth noting the injury Sead Kolasinac sustained in the first leg, ruling him out of the upcoming game. The Bosnian joined an already crowded treatment room, which includes midfielder Emil Holm and central defender Rafael Toloi. On the flip side, the return of key defender Isak Hien and full-back Mitchel Bakker after suspension is noteworthy.

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Marseille News & Current Form: 

Marseille can only envy the splendid form that the team from Bergamo has achieved, for the French side, the season has been far from auspicious. They were ousted from the Coupe de France long ago and have descended to ninth place in the Ligue 1 standings. Consequently, the Europa League represents the last opportunity for the club not only to clinch a trophy but also to secure a spot in the Champions League for the next season.

In mid-February, the club parted ways with coach Gennaro Gattuso – by that time, Les Phoceens had not secured a victory in the top division for over two months. The team was then led by Jean-Louis Gasset, under whom the Sky Blues won five consecutive matches but subsequently suffered as many defeats in a row. In their last six league matches, they only managed victories against FC Lorient (2:1) and shared draws with Toulouse FC (2:2) and OGC Nice (2:2). 

They succumbed to defeats against Stade Rennais FC (0:2), PSG (0:2), and LOSC Lille (1:3). It is important to note that Marseille have won only one of their six away matches in the current campaign on the continental stage and have amassed only 11 points away from home in Ligue 1.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored 13 goals in the 17 games for Marseille

Currently, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Co. are once again on an undefeated streak of five matches in all competitions (two wins, three draws). Interestingly, the former Arsenal FC and Chelsea FC striker has improved since the appointment of the new coach: in his last 17 appearances in all official competitions for Marseille, he has scored 13 goals and provided four assists. The forward could have made an impact in the match against Atalanta, but he failed to find the target with his shots.

However, not all players of Les Olympiens have been inspired by the change in management. Some, including Samuel Gigot, have shown no signs of improvement. Gigot has missed considerable time in the latter part of the season due to a shoulder injury and suspensions. He was unable to participate in the first leg of the Europa League due to suspension for accumulated yellow cards.

Speaking of the team’s journey in the Euro Cup, during the group stage, Marseille played against Brighton & Hove Albion FC, AFC Ajax, and AEK Athens FC. The French side won three matches and secured the second position.

In the knockout round, Marseille defeated FC Shakhtar Donetsk (2:2, 3:1). In the round of 16, Gasset’s team engaged in a shootout with Villarreal CF(4:0, 1:3). Then, in the quarter-finals, they dealt with SL Benfica: Aubameyang and his teammates lost away (1:2), won at home with a minimal score (1:0), and progressed to the semi-finals via a penalty shootout (4:2).

While Atalanta have yet to reach a Euro cup final, Les Phoceens boast rich achievements in this aspect: they became the strongest team in Europe in 1993, and then were runners-up in the UEFA Cup and Europa League finals in 1999, 2004, and 2018.

Last week, Mbemba returned to the French side and scored a crucial goal at the Stade Vélodrome, however, Valentin Rongier remains unavailable due to injury, as do Nadir and Maïté. 

Atalanta form guide: L-W-W-W-D-W

Marseille form guide: L-W-D-D-W-D

Atalanta vs Marseille Head-To-Head Record:

• May 2, 2024: Marseille 1 – 1 Atalanta (UEFA Europa League).

Atalanta vs Marseille Predicted XI:

Atalanta’s possible starting lineup (3-4-2-1): Carnesecchi; Djimsiti, Hien, Scalvini; Zappacosta, De Roon, Ederson, Ruggeri; Koopmeiners, De Ketelaere; Scamacca.

Marseille’s possible starting lineup (4-3-3): Lopez; Mbemba, Gigot, Balerdi; Clauss, Harit, Veretout, Kondogbia, Henrique; Aubameyang, Moumbagna.

Statistical preview of the match Atalanta vs Marseille:

• Atalanta’s First XI average age is 26.7 years, and Marseille’s First XI average age is 28.9 years.
• The total value of the Italian squad is 349 mln euros, while the total of the French side comes up to 231 mln euros.
• Jesus Gil Manzano has been appointed as the centre referee. The referee has already served 25 games this season, showing an average of 4.5 Yellow Cards and also whistles 26 fouls per game. 
• Atalanta has only 1 full trophy in the club’s collection – the Italian Cup 1962/63.
• The match against Salernitana was Gian Piero Gasperini’s 300th game at the helm of the Italian club. 
• In the first game at the Stade Vélodrome, the total expected xG goals was just 1.73 (0.90 from Marseille and 0.83 from Atalanta). 
• The Italians have an average of 1.79 xG playing on their pitch in this draw while allowing 1.01 in return. The French team, on the other hand, comes with a negative ratio of 1.4 to 1.56 xG.
• On average, the Black and Blues foul 14.2 times per match at home, while they earn just 10.8 offences on themselves. Marseille, on the other hand, infringe 10.33 times away and get 13.33 in return. 
• Marseille have not lost for a whole month, having played 5 official matches in that time.
• Atalanta have not earned more than 3 corners in any of their last 3 Europa League home matches. The French on average allow as many as 6.17 corners at their goal.
• Atalanta have not lost at home in a series of 8 matches, showing good form at their stadium.
• In the last 5 games, Atalanta conceded an average of 0.80 goals per game and scored an average of 2.20 goals per game.
• In the last 5 games, Marseille scored an average of 1.60 goals per game and conceded an average of 1.20 goals per game.
• The referee showed only one yellow card in the first semi-final meeting between the clubs.

What has been said before the match:

The Atalanta coach Gian Piero Gasperini reflects a mixture of optimism, determination, and acknowledgement of the challenges ahead:

“In one week we play most of the season and hopefully we will have a chance to play in the most important competition of the year. In the meantime, we know that next year we will play in Europe again and that is very exciting, then we will see what competition we will be in. At the moment, also thanks to the result of the first match, we have the confidence and desire to achieve a result that we have never achieved.”

“This number of matches, so close together, is not ideal, but we can’t think about that now, we have to think exclusively about Marseille and focus on this team, which represents absolute value. We can go into the final with confidence, which will be historic for us. They make the pitch factor very weighty and tomorrow we will have to do the same. We want to and we can go through this round.”

“What you feel in the city is extraordinary, it’s the thrill, it’s the anticipation, it’s something different from the match. As far as I’m concerned, it’s an extra cost, especially when you get to such meetings, you have to present yourself at your best.”

Jean-Louis Gasset, gaffer of Marseille, discusses the combination of realism, determination and ambition ahead of a crucial match:

“I’ve never played in a semi-final of anything… Let alone a final. We can dream. We’ve analyzed the match we played in the first leg. We were well into that game, looking straight at an impressive away team. We had to play a special game at home, and we did. If we’d added the two three little details… We couldn’t do it. We’re 1:1, we’re at half-time. Tomorrow, we start another match in a difficult stadium.

“Right from the start, we’re going to have to defend as well as we did at the Velodrome, with the added bonus of efficiency. The spirit of the first leg won’t be enough; we need that extra bit of efficiency to be able to achieve this feat. The team that draws away from home has an advantage because they got the right result. We’d have liked to be one or two goals ahead, but we’re not. We’ll have to play the ideal match.”

“Today, my players are aware that they’re just one match away from a historic date. In this squad, there are a lot of players with experience, who have played for big clubs, played in big matches and are internationals.”

Atalanta vs Marseille Prediction:

Not so long ago, Marseille managed to get out of a steep slump in the form of a five-game losing streak, which began and ended in the Europa League. Despite suffering a decline, Jean-Louis Gasset’s team still has managed to get past the UEL 1/8 finals and the quarter-finals, showing character and outstanding will to win. Now the Olympians have regained certain stability and have been unbeaten in five games. However, there is no reason to believe that OM might be the favourites of the return leg. Firstly, the French defence could be more reliable – over the last 10 games they have only recorded a clean sheet in the return quarter-final game against Benfica (winning 4:2 on penalties). Secondly, the Italians are looking to take advantage of the fact that Marseille outside the Velodrome Stadium has won only three times in 24 matches in all competitions. The team has the worst away form in the Ligue 1, sharing the last place with championship underdog – Clermont Foot. As for the Europa League, the Phocaeans lost on the road to Benfica and Villarreal, also drawing with modest Shakhtar at the play-off stage.

Atalanta, in turn, have won 70% of the matches played in their arena this season. And their current unbeaten streak looks more impressive, counting 4 wins and 1 draw. Although the motivation of both clubs will be off the charts, the Nerazzurri are expected to have a slight edge, they have enough spirit and class to defeat their French rival at the Gewiss Stadium and make it to the final. The feisty Italian home crowd will do their best to make the atmosphere as uncomfortable as possible. However, Marco Carnesecchi is unlikely to keep his goal intact, five of Atalanta’s last eight matches have ended with goals exchanged, while both opponents have also scored in the first leg. 

Parimatch News staff prediction:

We say: Both teams will score and Atalanta will win – Yes.

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