Olympique de Marseille and Atalanta Advance to Europa League Semifinals

The semifinal matchups for the 2023-2024 UEFA Europa League have been set, with Olympique de Marseille facing Atalanta and Roma taking on Bayer Leverkusen. The first leg of the semifinals will be played on May 2, with the second leg scheduled for May 9.

Olympique de Marseille secured their spot in the semifinals after a thrilling penalty shootout victory over Benfica, following a 2-2 aggregate draw. The French side's inconsistent performances at home and away did not hinder their progress in the competition.

Atalanta, on the other hand, pulled off a surprise elimination of Liverpool in the quarterfinals. The Italian team held the Reds to a 1-0 defeat in the second leg, despite Liverpool taking an early lead. Atalanta's notable 3-0 win over Liverpool at Anfield in the first leg proved to be the deciding factor in their advancement.

In the other semifinal, Roma will face Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen. Roma, led by new coach Daniele De Rossi, have been in good form and eliminated AC Milan in the quarterfinals with a 3-1 aggregate victory. Bayer Leverkusen, currently on an impressive 44-game unbeaten run, drew 1-1 with West Ham in the second leg of their quarterfinal tie, securing a 3-1 aggregate win.

Why this matters: The winner of the Europa League will earn a direct spot in the 2024-25 UEFA Champions League, which will feature a new format. This adds an extra layer of importance to the competition, as teams vie for both the trophy and a place in Europe's premier club tournament.

The Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Ireland, with a capacity of over 51,711, is set to host the Europa League final on May 22, 2024. The semifinal matchups promise to be highly competitive, with each team eager to secure their place in the final and potentially lift the coveted trophy.

Key Takeaways

• 2023-24 UEFA Europa League semifinals: Marseille vs Atalanta, Roma vs Leverkusen.
• Marseille and Atalanta advanced after thrilling quarterfinal victories over Benfica and Liverpool.
• Roma and Leverkusen, the current Bundesliga champions, also reached the semifinals.
• Europa League winner earns direct spot in 2024-25 UEFA Champions League.
• Final to be held at Aviva Stadium in Dublin on May 22, 2024.