This could be a historic moment for Atalanta, as they are just one win away from reaching their first European final. However, Marseille has its eyes on Dublin too, hoping to meet either Roma or Bayer Leverkusen there.
In their initial match-up at the Stade Velodrome, neither side could take control, ending in a 1-1 draw. Atalanta took an early lead with Gianluca Scamacca's goal in the 11th minute, but Marseille's Chancel Mbemba evened it up with a stunning strike from outside the box.
The tie remains finely balanced, but Atalanta has the advantage of playing at home, where they've been dominant, winning 11 of their last 14 matches. In Europa League and UEFA Cup history, they've only lost two out of 17 home games, and their form in Europe has been impressive. With a Coppa Italia final against Juventus coming up, and their Serie A performance giving them a shot at Champions League qualification, Atalanta is on a roll.
If coach Gian Piero Gasperini can lead them to Europa League glory, it would be a crowning achievement in what's already a golden era for the club. Meanwhile, Marseille has a strong European pedigree, having won the Champions League in 1993, and reaching the finals of the UEFA Cup/Europa League three times since then.
They have a good record in semi-finals, but their recent away form is concerning, with only one win in six European road games this season and poor results in Ligue 1.
Jean-Louis Gasset, Marseille's third manager this season, has been working to turn things around. Despite their struggles, a Europa League win could be their ticket to next season's Champions League.
Yet, overcoming Atalanta, and then potentially Roma or the new German champions, is a huge challenge. Marseille's preparation has been thorough, thanks to a week off from domestic duties, but they'll need everything they've got to get past Atalanta and keep their European dreams alive.
INJURIES & SUSPENSION
After getting injured in last week's game, former Marseille defender Sead Kolasinac is now out of action, joining Emil Holm and Atalanta club captain Rafael Toloi on the injury list. Toloi has just started training again, but he's not ready to return to the lineup yet.However, coach Gian Piero Gasperini's defensive options have improved with the return of Swedish center-back Isak Hien, who was suspended for the first leg.
Gasperini rested several players for Monday's match at the Stadio Arechi, but he's expected to bring back Teun Koopmeiners, who scored a signature long-range goal against Salernitana, as well as Charles De Ketelaere and Berat Djimsiti.
Gianluca Scamacca, who opened the scoring in Salerno, has been a standout in the Europa League, scoring five of Atalanta's seven goals in the knockout stages. Only Marseille's prolific striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has matched that tally since the group phase.
Overall, Aubameyang has 10 goals in this year's Europa League, making him the competition's all-time top scorer. For Thursday's game, he might be paired with Ismaila Sarr, Faris Moumbagna, or Iliman Ndiaye.
Marseille's defense will see Samuel Gigot return from a one-match suspension, which means Amir Murillo might step aside. Chancel Mbemba, who scored that stunning goal in the first leg, will likely lead the back three, but Bamo Meite and OM captain Valentin Rongier are sidelined with injuries.
POSSIBLE LINE-UPS
Atalanta BC possible starting lineup:Carnesecchi; Djimsiti, Hien, Scalvini; Zappacosta, De Roon, Ederson, Ruggeri; Koopmeiners, De Ketelaere; Scamacca
Marseille possible starting lineup:
Lopez; Mbemba, Gigot, Balerdi; Clauss, Harit, Veretout, Kondogbia, Henrique; Aubameyang, Moumbagna
EXPERT PREDICTION
Atalanta 2-1 Marseille
With their strong goal-scoring abilities and excellent home record, Atalanta are clear favorites to advance past Marseille, who often struggle when playing away. While the French team can be dangerous on the counterattack, Atalanta should have enough firepower to secure a spot in the Europa League final.
