Olympique de Marseille and Pierre Emérick Aubameyang snatched the qualifying ticket for the semi-finals of the Europa League, beating, on penalties (4-2), the Portuguese team of Benfica, 1 goal to 0 for Marseille at the end of regulation time. The Benfiquists from Lisbon won the first leg, 2 goals to 1.
For his 75th match in this competition, the Gabonese certainly did not shake the nets, but the top scorer in the history of the Europa League (37 goals), was once again decisive, after his goal in the first leg which allowed Marseille to remain confident for the future.
In a bustling velodrome and at the end of an unbreathable encounter, the foals of coach Jean-Louis Gasset did not tremble in front of the visitors who clearly displayed their entry ambitions.
They were the authors of some dangerous incursions into the Marseille defense, defeated in particular by Pau Lopez, the OM goalkeeper who was having a good day.
The locals who will respond blow for blow, without much success either. We had to wait until 79th minute and this superb header from Moumbagna who victoriously took over a cross from Pierre Emérick Aubameyang, very enterprising on the left flank of the Marseille attack.
This precious goal therefore brought the two teams back to a perfect tie, over the two matches, until the final whistle (regular time and extra time), then the fateful penalty shootout which propelled OM into the final square. Its 8th Europa League semi-final.
“It feels good, it feels good for the little heart. I imagine the supporters are happy. We had to win tonight. It’s done and it’s great”rejoiced Pierre Emérick Aubameyang at the end of the match.
The Gabonese and his teammates from Olympique de Marseille will face Atalanta Bergamo, winners of Liverpool, in the semi-final, back and forth on May 2 and 9. In the other semi-final, Bayer Leverkusen will play AS Roma.
Alph’-Willem Eslie
2024-04-18 23:21:28
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