Marseille boss Rudi Garcia believes his side will go into tonight’s Europa League final against Atletico Madrid as the underdogs but insists his side will “give it our all” at the Stade de Lyon.
No French team has won the Europa League and Garcia says that playing a final in their home country presents a “fantastic opportunity” for his club.
Speaking to Uefa.com, Garcia said: “We have a pretty small chance of winning but we are going to give it our all. Playing Atletico is a big event for us. This is a club who have played two Champions League finals in the past four years, a club that won the Europa League not long ago.
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“But a final at home in France is a fantastic opportunity. No French side have ever won this trophy; it would be fantastic if we could be the first.”
Skipper Dimitri Payet has urged his Marseille team-mates to rise to the occasion and beat Atletico tonight. Former West Ham star Payet told the BBC: “We know how tough it is. Of course, that is an added source of motivation, and if we do win the final, our names will be written into the club’s history books forever.”
Atletico boss Diego Simeone thinks it will be “a great final” and warned his team of Marseille’s dangerous midfield and attacking players. Simeone, who will watch from the stands because of suspension, said: “They have a coach who has so many options at his disposal and a lot of nous. They’re very dangerous, particularly in midfield and attack. It’ll certainly be a tough game.
“As soon as we got knocked out of the Champions League, we immediately embraced this competition. Being widely billed as contenders to reach the final heightened our sense of duty and responsibility. And here we are.”
The winners of tonight’s final don’t just take home the Europa League trophy - they will also qualify for next season’s Champions League.
2018 Europa League final guide
- What: Marseille vs. Atletico Madrid
- When: tonight
- Where: Stade de Lyon, Lyon, France
- Kick-off: 7.45pm (UK time)
- Referee: Bjorn Kuipers (Netherlands)
Possible line-ups
Uefa.com predicts who will start the final tonight for Marseille and Atletico.
- Marseille: Mandanda; Sakai, Rami, Luiz Gustavo, Amavi; Anguissa, Sanson; Thauvin, Payet, Ocampos; Germain
- Atletico: Oblak; Vrsaljko, Gimenez, Godin, Lucas; Koke, Saul Niguez, Gabi, Correa; Griezmann, Costa
Who are the ‘home’ team?
Marseille will be the home team tonight at the Stade de Lyon.
About the Europa League trophy
The trophy weighs 15kg and is the heaviest of all Uefa’s silverware. As well as the trophy the winners also qualify for next season’s Champions League.
Marseille vs. Atletico live stream and TV details
The Europa League final will be shown live on BT Sport 2 as well as on the broadcaster’s app. Fans can also watch a live stream of the final via BT Sport’s YouTube channel. Coverage starts at 7pm.
Europa League final betting odds
Europa League winner
Latest best prices according to Oddschecker (as of 16 May).
- Atletico Madrid: 8/15
- Marseille: 9/4
First goalscorer
Latest odds according to William Hill (as of 16 May)
Atletico Madrid
- Antoine Griezmann: 5/2
- Kevin Gameiro: 7/2
- Diego Costa: 4/1
- Fernando Torres: 9/2
- Angel Correa: 6/1
- Vitolo: 10/1
Marseille
- Florian Thauvin: 7/1
- Kostas Mitroglou: 8/1
- Lucas Ocampos: 10/1
- Valere Germain: 10/1
- Clinton N’Jie: 11/1
- Dimitri Payet: 12/1
