Marseille is the only French side to have won the Champions League in 1993, but since then has lost twice in the UEFA Cup final, as the Europa League was formerly known.
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Atletico’s build-up to this match has been overshadowed to some extent by constant speculation about his future, with the France striker being tipped to join Barcelona after the World Cup.
“With his level, he just wants to win titles”.
“Aside from the sadness that it gives me to not be there from the start in the final, I have a great feeling with German”.
Diego Simeone will be looking to win his second Europa League trophy but will have to look on from the stands as he is still serving his touch line ban.
While no players from either side are suspended, Rolando and Kostas Mitroglou from Marseille and Jose Gimenez from Atletico Madrid have minor injuries and their participation will be a game-time decision for the managers.
“It is never good to make comparisons”.
Atletico coach Diego Simeone will be unable to orchestrate proceedings from the dugout as he serves a suspension following his sending-off in the semi-final first leg against Arsenal. “Experience is an important factor although it won’t completely influence the game”, he added.
That can not be said for Marseille, who will need to produce their best performance of the season if they are to win the Europa League.
If Marseille are to prevail, they may also need a major contribution from former Newcastle United star Florian Thauvin, who has been in sparkling form this season. We know how tough it is.
Victory for the French club on home soil in Lyon against the 2010 and 2012 champions would be another surprise result, and if the underdogs are to come through successfully, they know they need to keep Griezmann, who was born near Lyon, in check.
The Los Rojiblancos are in the final of the Europa League after producing a standout collective effort to draw 1-1 at the Emirates with 10 men, before capping off an impressive display to win 1-0 back in the Spanish capital.
“There is a new moment that we are waiting on”.
Marseille boss Rudi Garcia is expecting to have a full-strength squad at his disposal.
The match at Lyon’s Stade des Lumieres will kick off at 8.45 p.m. local time (1845GMT).
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The fact Marseille fans have been chanting about threatening to “break” everything in the stadium in Lyon (see video below) has only heightened fears of trouble.
