Marseille’s Jean-Louis Gasset: ‘We’re ready to go until the end of the night’

Olympique de Marseille will contest their most important game of the season tonight when they face Atalanta in Bergamo for the second leg of their European semi-final (1-1). Les Phocéens will only be supported with a fraction of their usual travelling contingent as they pack into the temporary away stand at the Gewiss Stadium. 

The Marseille fans tucked away inside an active construction site feels like an apt metaphor for their current side; a patchwork team that has been raised amidst the demolition that surrounds it. A Marseille that against all odds is a game away from reaching the Europa League final

Jean-Louis Gasset is the fourth manager to take the reigns at the club this season and is the only one who has – albeit in fits and starts – managed to make the team look impressive. However, he will be aware that recent form is against them, with the club having only beaten four teams away from home across all competitions. 

In a press conference ahead of the match, Gasset acknowledged that Atalanta held the advantage by playing at home, but “ we know what we have to do, we are ready to go until the end of the night to make everyone happy. ” 

He further hoped that the team would respond to the occasion. “ We dissected the match we had last week, we were good, we met the gaze of a team who were impressive away and won 3-0 at Liverpool. This is the match to succeed, all the players are aware they will perhaps never play a European semi-final again .” 

GFFN | Nick Hartland