The Marseillais arrive in the Netherlands on the strength of a very important success in Reims (1-0), which allowed them to maintain their six-point lead in second place in the Ligue 1 standings, qualifying for the C1 .

Four days from the end, these six lengths of margin on Monaco and Rennes do not guarantee anything, especially since it will be necessary to receive Lyon on Sunday, undoubtedly determined to poison the life of the other Olympique.

But they at least allow Jorge Sampaoli and his men to approach the Rotterdam match without too many parasitic thoughts.

Because the meeting is important, OM preparing to play the seventh European semi-final in its history.

The joy of Argentine coach Jorge Sampaoli, after Marseille's 2-1 victory over Basel, in the round of 16 second leg of the Europa Conference League, March 17, 2022 in Switzerland Fabrice COFFRINI AFP / Archives

After the disappointment of elimination from the Europa League groups, Marseille's history in C4 began far and modestly, with a confrontation with Qarabag, vice-champion of Azerbaijan.

But a few months later, the semi-finals of the latest European competition are looking good with Feyenoord and OM on one side, AS Roma and Leicester on the other.

Mandanda centenary

So close to the goal and the final in Tirana, on May 25, no one is choosy anymore and the De Kuip stadium in Rotterdam, where the Blues were crowned European champions in 2000, will be packed and boiling.

Feyenoord supporters light smoke bombs during the Europa League Conference quarter-final first leg against Slavia Prague on April 7, 2022 in Rotterdam MAURICE VAN STEEN ANP/AFP/Archives

The Marseillais will be supported there by 2,000 of their supporters, who will make the trip by coach on Thursday after having been deprived of travel to Basel and Thessaloniki for security reasons in the previous rounds.

On the ground, Marseille will have some certainties, carried by its series of ten victories in the last eleven matches.

But many have been narrow and if OM often have control of the game, as their coach wants, they don't always have a lot of margin or brilliance.

"With the way it's better, but what matters in these periods is to win matches", still recalled captain Steve Mandanda after the victory snatched on Sunday in Reims (1-0).

While he should be playing his 100th European match with OM in Rotterdam, Mandanda has seen others and knows that if the end of the Marseille season is exciting and full of challenges, it can also end in deep water. sausage, as in 2017-2018.

Marseille goalkeeper Steve Mandanda, during the home match against Metz, counting for the 13th day of Ligue 1, November 7, 2021 at the Stade Vélodrome Sylvain THOMAS AFP / Archives

"Incredible" atmosphere

Rudi Garcia's OM were then beaten by Atlético Madrid in the Europa League final and, after having been on the podium for a long time, ended up finishing fourth, missing out on the Champions League.

To avoid ending their season with their heads down, the Marseille club is counting on Gerson, their new safe bet, who is currently in great shape.

In attack, the return of Arkadiusz Milik and the legs of Bamba Dieng give Sampaoli different options while Arne Slot, the Feyenoord coach, spoke on Wednesday of the danger represented by Dimitri Payet.

Midfielders Dimitry Payet and the Brazilian Gerson, during the quarter-final second leg of the OM Europa Conference League against PAOK Thessaloniki, on April 7, 2022 at the Stade Vélodrome Nicolas TUCAT AFP / Archives

Third in their championship at a good distance from Ajax Amsterdam and PSV Eindhoven, the Rotterdam club enters this semi-final in the enviable position of the challenger and with Colombian winger Luis Sinisterra as their main attacking asset.

The joy of the Colombian striker of Feyenoord Luis Sinisterra, after scoring the 2nd goal against Zwolle, during the 13th day of the Eredivisie, on November 21, 2021 in Rotterdam Pieter Stam de Jonge ANP / AFP / Archives

But in an atmosphere that Slot promised "incredible", the Feyenoord will also have ambitions.

"We have often shown that we can impose our game", assured the Dutch technician.

"But Marseille are the strongest opponent we have had so far," he added.

© 2022 AFP