PLAYER RATINGS | Atalanta 3-0 Marseille: OM exit the Europa League with a whimper

UEFA Europa League, Semi-final, 09/05/24

Olympique de Marseille crashed out of the UEFA Europa League after a timid performance in Bergamo (3-0, agg. 4-1) against an Atalanta side who progress to the final, where they will face Bayer Leverkusen.

Back in Marseille, a former Phocéen legend in the shape of Didier Drogba was lighting the Olympic cauldron outside the Vélodrome. A day earlier, Basile Boli had carried the Olympics torch as it arrived at the port of Marseille. While OM legends roamed the streets of Marseille, the current crop had their chance to write their own history in Bergamo.

After a 1-1 draw at the Vélodrome last week, Chancel Mbemba said that OM would “go to war” in Bergamo, whilst in an exclusive interview with Get French Football News, Ismaila Sarr said that OM were “determined to fight.” However, it did not show in the opening 45 minutes. Marseille lacked intensity and awareness out of possession and lacked synchronicity and quality in possession. 

Atalanta therefore dominated and logically led at the break. Charles De Ketelaere had an early chance to open the scoring and put the Italian side ahead in the tie, but having rounded Pau Lopez, he struck the outside of the post with his shot from a tight angle. Atalanta would strike the woodwork again before taking the lead through Ademola Lookman, who unpressured on the edge of the OM box, curled a deflected effort past Lopez. 

The Nigerian forward could have doubled his account had he not slipped at the crucial moment when one-on-one against Lopez. The Spaniard was busy throughout and was called into action again when De Ketelaere strolled through. Lopez did well to make himself big and close the angle, whilst Davide Zappacosta also had a great chance after