The UEFA Europa League final takes place in Lyon, France on Wednesday (kick off, 2:45 p.m. ET) with Marseille and Atletico Madrid clashing for the second-biggest trophy in European club soccer.
[ LIVE: Europa League final ]
Atletico are the overwhelming favorites but Marseille have rode a wave of positivity towards the final as they aim to become the first French club to win a major European club trophy since they won the European Cup back in 1993. Although Paris Saint-Germain did win the now defunct UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup in 1995-95, it must be noted...
Marseille lost in the Europa League final (then known as the UEFA Cup) in 1999 and 2004 but the Ligue 1 side are hoping mercurial playmaker Dimitri Payet can deliver the goods, along with top scorer Florian Thauvin, a few hundred miles from home in what would be a big shock.
Victory would secure Marseille a place in the UEFA Champions League group stage next season with the French giants currently out of the UCL qualification spots in the French top-flight with one game to go.
Diego Simeone will not be able to coach his Atletico Madrid team from the sidelines in the final after his antics in the first leg of their semifinal victory against Arsenal and although Atleti have already secured their spot in the Champions League next season via a top four finish in La Liga, this is a competition they love after winning it in 2010 and 2012.
Antoine Griezmann is the danger man for Atleti (who lost to Real Madrid in both the 2014 and 2016 UCL finals) with the French international striker looking to end the season on a high back in his homeland, while Diego Costa will be sniffing around for goals, and trouble, as per usual...
Click on the link above to follow all the action from the Groupama Stadium live, while we will have analysis and reaction from the final right here on Pro Soccer Talk.
LINEUPS
⚽️ STARTING XI: UEFA @EuropaLeague final 🏆
— Olympique de Marseille 🇬🇧 🇺🇸 (@OM_English) May 16, 2018
Here are the 1⃣1⃣ players tasked with bringing a second European title to Marseille!
ALLEZ OM! ⚪️🔵#OMAtleti | #OurStoryContinues | @atletienglish pic.twitter.com/7oVgTAsiy4
🏧👥 | STARTING LINE-UP
— Atlético de Madrid (@atletienglish) May 16, 2018
THESE 1⃣1⃣ ATLÉTICOS on the pitch and MILLIONS of 🔴⚪🔴 fans cheering us on like always❗❕#AúpaAtleti #OMAtleti #UELFinal pic.twitter.com/u2Hcw2NidO
