On April 26, 2018, Olympique Marseille faced Red Bull Salzburg in the first leg of the UEFA Europa League semi-final at the Stade Vélodrome in Marseille. Marseille secured a 2-0 victory, giving them a strong advantage heading into the second leg in Austria.
Key Statistics and Analysis
- Scoreline and Goal Timings:
- Olympique Marseille: 2 (Florian Thauvin 15′, Clinton N’Jie 63′)
- Red Bull Salzburg: 0
- Possession:
- Red Bull Salzburg had slightly more possession with 55%, while Marseille had 45%. Despite Salzburg’s control of the ball, Marseille’s defensive organization and efficiency in attack made the difference.
- Shots:
- Olympique Marseille registered 12 shots, with 6 on target, reflecting their clinical finishing and ability to capitalize on key moments. Red Bull Salzburg managed 11 shots, with 3 on target, but they struggled to convert their chances.
- Passing Accuracy:
- Olympique Marseille had a passing accuracy of 78%, completing 303 passes out of 388 attempts. Red Bull Salzburg had a higher passing accuracy of 85%, completing 431 passes out of 509 attempts. Despite Salzburg’s better passing stats, Marseille’s direct approach and effective transitions were more impactful.
- Defensive Statistics:
- Marseille made 20 tackles compared to Salzburg’s 16, showcasing their defensive commitment to winning back possession and disrupting Salzburg’s play. Marseille’s defense, led by Adil Rami and Luiz Gustavo, was solid throughout, effectively neutralizing Salzburg’s attacks.
- Set Pieces:
- Marseille’s first goal came from a set piece. In the 15th minute, Dimitri Payet delivered a free-kick into the box, which Florian Thauvin headed home after the ball deflected off his shoulder, giving Marseille an early lead. The second goal came in the 63rd minute when Payet set up Clinton N’Jie, who finished calmly after a quick counter-attack, doubling Marseille’s advantage.
- Individual Performances:
- Dimitri Payet was the standout performer for Marseille, providing assists for both goals and orchestrating much of the team’s attacking play. Florian Thauvin was also crucial, scoring the opener and constantly threatening Salzburg’s defense. Clinton N’Jie made a significant impact after coming on as a substitute, scoring the second goal and adding energy to Marseille’s attack. For Salzburg, Amadou Haidara and Munas Dabbur were the most active players, but they were unable to break through Marseille’s defense.
- Tactical Overview:
- Olympique Marseille, under Rudi Garcia, employed a 4-2-3-1 formation, focusing on compact defending and quick transitions. Red Bull Salzburg, managed by Marco Rose, used a 4-3-1-2 formation, aiming to dominate possession and press high up the pitch. However, Marseille’s tactical discipline and ability to exploit spaces in Salzburg’s defense were key to their success.
- Disciplinary:
- The match saw three yellow cards, all for Red Bull Salzburg (Amadou Haidara 22′, Hwang Hee-chan 58′, Andreas Ulmer 69′). The fouls were largely tactical, aimed at breaking up Marseille’s play and preventing further goals.
- Corners and Offsides:
- Olympique Marseille won 4 corners compared to Salzburg’s 3, reflecting the relatively balanced nature of the game in terms of territorial play. Both teams were caught offside twice, indicating their attempts to stretch the opposition’s defense and create scoring opportunities.
Summary
Olympique Marseille’s 2-0 victory over Red Bull Salzburg in the first leg of the UEFA Europa League semi-final put them in a strong position to reach the final. Marseille capitalized on their home advantage, with goals from Florian Thauvin and Clinton N’Jie securing the win in front of a passionate crowd at the Stade Vélodrome.
Dimitri Payet was instrumental in Marseille’s success, providing assists for both goals and leading the team’s attacking efforts. Florian Thauvin’s header gave Marseille an early lead, while N’Jie’s goal in the second half added a crucial second, giving the French side a valuable cushion ahead of the second leg.
Despite Salzburg’s superior possession and passing accuracy, they were unable to find the back of the net, with Marseille’s defense standing firm. The result left Salzburg needing to overturn a two-goal deficit in the return leg, a challenging task against a Marseille side that showed tactical discipline and clinical finishing.
The victory boosted Marseille’s hopes of reaching the Europa League final, where they would aim to add another European trophy to their history. For Salzburg, the result was a setback, but they remained in the tie with the opportunity to respond at home.
