Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang left in tears as Marseille’s Europa League dreams shattered
In a heartbreaking turn of events, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang couldn’t hold back his tears as Marseille fell short of securing a spot in the Europa League final on Thursday evening. After a 1-1 draw against Atalanta in the first leg, Marseille’s hopes were dashed as the Serie A club emerged victorious with a commanding 3-0 win in the return fixture.
Atalanta, the team that eliminated Liverpool in the quarter-finals, will now face off against Bayer Leverkusen in the highly anticipated Europa League final on May 22. Leverkusen, who secured a 4-2 win on aggregate against Roma, extended their remarkable unbeaten streak to an incredible 49 games with a late comeback to salvage a draw in their semi-final clash.
With this achievement, Leverkusen now holds the record for the longest unbeaten run in European football history, surpassing Benfica’s previous record of 48 games unbeaten in all competitions between December 1963 and February 1965.
Despite the disappointment of Marseille’s loss, Aubameyang can take solace in his individual performance throughout the Europa League campaign. The former Arsenal captain has been a standout player for Marseille, scoring an impressive 27 goals in all competitions for the French club. Furthermore, Aubameyang is on track to claim the title of top goalscorer of the tournament this season, with an impressive tally of 10 goals.
Following the defeat to Atalanta, Marseille’s head coach, Jean-Louis Gasset, expressed his bewilderment at the team’s sudden lack of aggression and desire. He acknowledged the mistakes made during the match and highlighted Atalanta’s relentless aggression without possession. Gasset emphasized the importance of unity and called for Marseille to remain focused on their achievements, despite the disappointment of missing out on the final. He also stressed the significance of Marseille’s presence in European competitions next season.
As Marseille’s Europa League journey comes to an end, the team and its fans are left with a mix of emotions. While the dream of reaching the final has been shattered, the club’s accomplishments should not be forgotten. Marseille’s resilience and determination have been commendable, and their presence in the European Cup next season remains a priority.
