PA Media/dpa
London
Atalanta boss Gian Piero Gasperini has described the second leg of Thursday’s Europa League semi-final against Marseille as the biggest game in his club’s history.
The Italians drew the first leg 1-1 in Marseille last week and stand on the brink of reaching a maiden European final.
Gasperini told a press conference: “In terms of the value of the goal, this match is the most important in Atalanta’s history. We want to reach the final, but we know we will need a great deal of concentration to do so.
“The most important factor will be the collective. The atmosphere in Marseille was extraordinary, but on Thursday that factor will be in our favour.
“The support from our fans has always been great, even if we have a smaller stadium. I can’t wait for the match.” Atalanta, who knocked out Liverpool 3-1 on aggregate in the quarter-finals, are currently battling for Champions League qualification next season as they sit fifth in Serie A.
Gasperini’s side also face Juventus next week in the Coppa Italia final.
This year’s Europa League winners are guaranteed a place in the 2024-25 Champions League group phase and Gasperini added: “We hope that the season will also give us the possibility of playing a more important match.
“In the meantime we know that next year we will play in Europe too and this is a great satisfaction, then we will see what type of Europe.
“At this point, also by virtue of the result of the first leg, we have confidence and desire to achieve a result that we have never achieved.” Marseille overcame Benfica in their quarter-final, winning 4-2 on penalties after drawing 2-2 on aggregate, but have won only four times on the road this season in all competitions.
Head coach Jean-Louis Gasset became their third manager of the season in February this year after Gennaro Gattuso and Marcelino.
Gattuso was appointed last September after Marcelino’s departure to take charge of Villarreal and Marseille have made no progress in Ligue 1 as they remain ninth in the table, five points off the top six.
Marseille, European champions in 1993, lost to Atletico Madrid in the 2018 Europa League final and were beaten UEFA Cup finalists in 1999 and 2004.
