There were still 65,000 to push OM on Thursday evening against Atalanta Bergamo. A fervor which undoubtedly carried the Marseille club, convincing in the game and author of a good 1-1 draw. The 12th Marseille man was the star of the match for the Italians.
Pablo Longoria promised “ hell » to Atalanta for his visit to the Vélodrome on Thursday. The promise of the president of OM was perfectly kept. The atmosphere was exceptional for the Europa League semi-final first leg and it destabilized the Italian opponent. Atalanta was disappointing against OM, suffering from Marseille domination for a good part of the match. An inconceivable scenario given the forces present at kick-off. The impact of the Stade Vélodrome was real, as the Italians confirmed. At the Dea as in the transalpine press, the Marseille enclosure won over everyone.
Anfield compared to a library!
The praise first came from the Italian coach, Gian Piero Gasperini. “ The Vélodrome is a wonderful stadium, very beautiful. The noise, what he gives to his team… It gives them something more. We suffered but we played with personality and it wasn’t easy in this atmosphere. […] They have only lost once at home this season and we understand why “, he told the press. Gazzetta dello Sport journalist Giorgio Dusi went even further, believing that the Vélodrome ridiculed one of the most emblematic stadiums in European football: Anfield in Liverpool.
“ I don’t know how many stadiums in Europe have an atmosphere that even comes close to that of the Vélodrome: to win here, in such an atmosphere, we have the feeling that it takes a real feat. Anfield looks like a library in comparison “, he wrote. OM may not win the 2023-2024 Europa League but he recalled that Marseille was indeed a stronghold of European football.
