Photo Credit:UEFA
Gian Piero Gaspeini continues a more than impressive campaign as Atalanta manager as he became the first manager in the club’s history to guide La Dea to a European Final after a triumphant 3-0 victory over Marseille. After a draw in the first leg, both teams sought to add to their 1-1 draw in order to advance onto the next stage. However, the hosts, Atalanta took the initiative in an utterly one-sided first half.
The only surprise at the end of the first half was that their one goal lead wasn’t any bigger. Gianluca Scamacca and Charles De Ketelaere both came astonishingly close before Ademola Lookman managed to break the deadlock in the 30th minute. He had cut in from the left and curled a shot which took a heavy deflection off Samuel Gigot and ended up whistling into the right hand corner.
The visitors had the chance to atone for their dismal first half display after the break by equalizing early into the half but Iliman Ndiaye squandered the opportunity. The former Sheffield United man had the goal at his mercy after goalkeeper Juan Musso found himself in no man’s land but the lobbed effort struck harmlessly onto the upright. This miss was severely punished by Matteo Ruggeri, who further put the tie beyond the reach of Marseille.
Breaking into the Olympians’ penalty area, the 21 year old drilled the ball into the top corner of Pau Lopez’s goal giving Atalanta some breathing space in the tie. Atalanta managed to add a third goal proving that this was just not Marseille’s night. This was through El Bilal Toure’s stylish effort in stoppage time.
All was over for Marseille and the celebrations commenced for Atalanta. Having knocked out Liverpool who were favorites in the competition en route to the final, La Dea will face their final obstacle, Bayer Leverkusen on the 22nd of May.
