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Who goes to the Europa League final? Ubiratan Leal projects semi-finals Leverkusen x Roma and Atalanta x Olympique de Marseille
Teams face each other this Thursday (9), at 4pm (Brasília time), with ESPN broadcast on Star+
This Thursday (9), the two finalists of the UEFA Europa League will be defined. The incredible Bayer Leverkusen with your 48 invincibility games, now took a 2-0 lead over Roma and decided on the place in Germany. In the other semi-final, absolute balance.
O Olympique de Marseille created many chances in the first game, but did not draw 1-1 with Atalanta in France.
He will seek another classification for the continental final, in Bergamo, given the excellent schedule led by Gian Piero Gasperini since 2016.
On a high with the coach Jean-Louis Gasset commander of Marseille since February this year, the Brazilian striker Luis Henrique was a starter in the first match and should also start in Italy, forming an attack with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
The former Botafogo player spoke to ESPN before the decisive match.
“We need to pay attention to Atalanta’s counterattacks, as they defend themselves very well and have strong players. We have to be very careful with this. Set pieces too, it’s a very long time, the guys are big. We will have to know how to suffer and make the most of the best moment in the match. We go with this instinct, knowing that it will be a war, a very tough game”, explained the 22-year-old player, born in João Pessoa (PB).
Atalanta x Olympique de Marseille will be broadcast live by ESPN on Star+ this Thursday (9), at 4pm (Brasília time)
In the first leg, Luis thought the worst.
“When they scored the first goal, their game against Liverpool came to mind, when they also scored away from home. Then we said that we turned the key, we are going in search of the result and I think that no final idea came out with victory. Unfortunately the goals didn’t come, but I’m sure they will come next time.”
Signed in 2020 for eight million euros, he did not adapt in his first spell in France. So much so that less than two years later he returned to Botafogo, on loan. At the end of last year, the Rio club did not exercise the purchase right it had, and Luis Henrique returned to Olympique.
“When you come back, you give me confidence, let me play, give me minutes, all of this made me much calmer. I’m very happy with my family and my staff at home. Good mind to do the best possible and help the team. Since they gave me the opportunity, I can’t do anything differently, I have to do my best, regardless of the position in which I am chosen”, he explains.
Olympique de Marseille opened a season with Spanish coach Marcelino García Toral and several impactful signings, such as Aubameyang himself. Under pressure from the club’s ultras, Marcelino left the club in September and was replaced by Gennaro Gattuso, who lasted five months in the position. Finally, Gasset arrived on February 20th.
“He’s a coach who fit in very well. We had to improve a little in French, with the remaining games, but time was already making a good Europa League, but with it the level increased. We are going head to head with the times”, says the striker, who has scored just one goal this season so far.
His young age means he learns a lot from the most experienced players of the time. Like veteran Aubameyang, 34 years old.
“The size of his football is the size of his humility. A person who welcomed me very well, always joking, with everyone, not just me. When I see him training, you don’t want to give anything less, because a guy like him is always giving his all in training. It is also an inspiration to do your best on the field. I have a lot to learn from him on a daily basis, I hope to still play a lot by his side and be able to share celebrations and goals.”
To secure a place in the Europa League final, which took place in Dublin on the 22nd, Marseille, European champions in 1993, will pass Atalanta with the support of just a few thousand fans in the Stadio Atleti Azzurri d’Italia.
And if anything impressed the young Brazilian striker in Europe, it was the Marseillais fans.
“I was very surprised, because when I arrived during the pandemic, I didn’t have much contact with the fans. They always said it was crazy, the guys were very fanatical, but I didn’t see it. When the fans came back… It’s impressive, the guys are really passionate about the club. Every game has a party, more than 60 thousand fans in the stadium. Playing there, you can’t stop running, the guys push a lot. We feel this pressure from the fans.”
Where to watch Atalanta vs Olympique Marseille?
Atalanta x Olympique de Marseille will be broadcast live by ESPN on Star+ this Thursday (09), at 4pm (Brasília time)
