Red Bull Salzburg have it all to do on Thursday as the Austrians must overcome a two-goal deficit to advance to the Europa League final. Standing in their way are Marseille, a club that has not lost in its last five Ligue 1 games.
Marseille methodically took apart Salzburg in the first leg, winning 2-0 at home. Rudi Garcia knows his team simply need an away goal to heap even more pressure on Salzburg. One away goal would mean Salzburg need to score four times on the night without conceding a second goal to the French team to qualify for the final. The Austrian team's back is up against the wall, but it isn't the first time Salzburg have faced similar odds during the Europa League.
In the quarterfinals, down 4-2 to Lazio after the first leg, Salzburg's players played the game of their lives. The Austrian club defeated Lazio 4-1 at home and went through 6-5 on aggregate. Marseille's form has been excellent of late, and equalling that feat won't be easy.
The two sides met in the group stages of the Europa League with Salzburg topping the group. Salzburg have defeated Marseille this season already at home, winning during group play 1-0. Salzburg must rescue their Europa League season; therefore, it is likely the Austrians will come out on top in the home leg. Salzburg have the fortune of playing the second leg match at home. Marseille have been awful on the road during their Europa League campaign. In eight matches away from the Stade Velodrome, Marseille have won just once.
If Salzburg are to win the second leg, the team must find a way to stop Marseille forward Florian Thauvin. The French playmaker scored the opening goal of the tie and was key in the second scored by Clinton N'Jie. Thauvin has 22 goals on the season and is thriving under Garcia's tutelage. Dmitri Payet was also instrumental in Marseille's victory as the midfielder tallied both assists.
Both of these clubs started their Europa League campaigns in July 2017. Salzburg joined during the second qualifying round, while Marseille entered in the third. The clubs have played a lot of football and this is the time for tired legs and minds. The fatigue factor could play a part in Thursday night's semifinal.
Salzburg's excellent play at home and Marseille's dreadful road record will ensure the Austrians pick up the win. Unfortunately, Salzburg won't get the goals they need to go through and Marseille will get the vital away goal to get them into the Europa League final.