Qualified Teams for the Semi-Finals
For this season’s Europa League semi-finals, Marseille will take on Atalanta, while the other side of the draw sees AS Roma face Bayer Leverkusen. Florian Wirtz, Romelu Lukaku, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Teun Koopmeiners could all shine after the four sides battled their way into the last four.
Matches in the Semi-Finals
The Europa League offers a rare chance for Marseille to win a trophy after years of inconsistency, and the same opportunity comes to Atalanta, who rarely struggle to secure a title. AS Roma have the chance to move on from Jose Mourinho while lifting another European trophy after their recent Conference League success, while Bayer Leverkusen could strike with a double this season after already becoming champions of Germany.
Dates of the Semi-Final Matches
Marseille vs. Atalanta
First leg
- Date: Thursday, May 2
- Kick-off time: 20:00 UK time / 21:00 CET / 15:00 ET
- Venue: Velodrome Stadium
Second leg
- Date: Thursday, May 9
- Kick-off time: 20:00 UK time / 21:00 CET / 15:00 ET
- Venue: Stadio di Bergamo
AS Roma vs. Bayer Leverkusen
First leg
- Date: Thursday, May 2
- Kick-off time: 20:00 UK time / 21:00 CET / 15:00 ET
- Venue: Stadio Olimpico
Second leg
- Date: Thursday, May 9
- Kick-off time: 20:00 UK time / 21:00 CET / 15:00 ET
- Venue: BayArena
Venues for the Semi-Final Matches
The first leg for Marseille vs. Atalanta will be the famous Velodrome, which has been refurbished and modernised to become an outstanding all-seater fit for the biggest events.
The return leg in Atalanta is at the Stadio di Bergamo. One of the smallest stadiums in top flight European football, it holds just 21,000 spectators, with work due to start this year to 25,000.
The Stadio Olimpico is one of the most storied stadiums on the continent and is shared with local rivals Lazio, but for Roma it has been the host of some of their most famous victories.
The BayArena was redeveloped in 2009, but only holds around 30,000 fans. Bayer finally lifted their first Bundesliga trophy under Xabi Alonso, meaning the club’s supporters ended decades of drought to welcome their team as champions in their home ground this year, at last.
Team Analysis and Predictions
Marseille are enjoying one of their traditionally inconsistent seasons. They are struggling in Ligue 1, sitting ninth, but at the same time they have risen to the occasion to reach the last four of the Europa League. Former Arsenal striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has reached double figures, while Ismaila Sarr has joined from Watford.
Atalanta often use 3-1-4-2 and make use of passing triangles to cut through their opponents, with a high-pressing system that can shift the ball quickly to find openings in the pitch to attack. Given Marseille’s enigmatic form this season, it is close to impossible to know which side gets through.
AS Roma have been revitalised by the presence of Daniele De Rossi, who took over from the misfiring Jose Mourinho. A five-man defence became four, but they often stay back as they had under the Portuguese, with their Italian coach still looking to counterattack.
Xabi Alonso has excelled at Bayer, with the team using lopsided full-backs to give an overload to one flank at a time, but also forcing attacking opponents out wide to rob the ball where possible. With their undefeated season in the Bundesliga, they are the clear favourites.
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