The second leg of the Europa League quarter-finals comes with Marseille hosting Benfica. Marseille have a disappointing league record this season, with just 10 wins, nine draws and nine defeats in 28 league games. This result puts Marseille in 9th place. You must know that last season Marseille was ranked third in the league. Marseille's form has plummeted in recent times, losing five games in a row. In the first leg of the Europa League quarter-final against Benfica, Marseille also lost. This time, Marseille returned to their home stadium to face Benfica again, and there was no way back, and they had to go all out to win to have any hope of qualifying. As a result, Marseille eliminated Benfica and completed the counterattack.
Marseille lined up 3511 formations in this game. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is up front. Ndiaye was behind him. The midfield four of Amin Ali, Ounahi, Kondogbia, Weretou and Sogelow combined to attack. The back three of Mbemba, Gigo and Vallerdi started the game. Pau López was the starting goalkeeper. Benfica, for their part, fielded an attacking combination of Ten Stedt, Neres, Farah Hill and Angel Di Maria.
Marseille, who started the game at home, played more aggressively, having lost the first leg and must go all out to win this time. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang had a good chance to interact, but his volley from the edge of the box was deflected wide. Kondogbia's long-range shot was slightly higher. Valeldi's header goes wide. Welleto's long-range shot was blocked. In order to break the deadlock on the field, Marseille constantly made substitutions and adjustments. The results worked.
Substitute Faris Mumbana scored with a 79th-minute header, a goal that equalled Marseille's aggregate score with Benfica, and the game was full of suspense. At the end of normal time, Marseille won 1-0, but because the aggregate score was 2-2, it went into extra time. In extra time, neither side could score, and had to go through penalty shootouts. As a result, Di Maria and Antonio Silva both missed penalties in the shoot-out, and they became the sinners of Benfica's defeat. All four of Marseille's players scored. As a result, Marseille made a penalty shootout 4-2 and advanced to the semi-finals with an aggregate score of 6-4 over two legs.
Marseille lost 1-2 in the first leg, 1-0 in regular time and 4-2 on penalties to complete a desperate comeback, which is incredible! Marseille's opponent in the semi-finals has also been decided, and that is Atalanta. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang played a decisive role in Marseille's ability to get to this point, scoring 10 goals, providing three assists and creating 13 goals in 11 Europa League games.