ATHLETIC BILBAO – MARSEILLE EUROPA LEAGUE
After losing the first leg to 3-1, Athletic Bilbao chases a difficult comeback and relies heavily on the support of its warm public, ready to fill the stands of the beautiful San Mamés stadium. The push of home supporters could prove important especially in the first half, when Marseille will still have to adapt to the context and presumably will suffer the initial attacks of Athletic. The team coached by Rudi Garcia will be called to face a formidable striker, the expert Aritz Aduriz, who last Thursday although debilitated by an influenza attack, he still played and scored on a penalty.
In this return challenge, Aduriz will be in optimal condition and could worry its adversaries even on action. The disqualification of Mikel San José and Raul Garcia, however, should prevent Athletic from having the right balance between the midfield and the offensive three-quarters. Marseille, who appeared technically superior to the first leg, will probably manage to take advantage of it and score at least one goal, focusing on the play of Florian Thauvin, Dimitri Payet, Lucas Ocampos and Konstantinos Mitroglou.
The probable formations of Athletic Bilbao-Marseille
ATHLETIC BILBAO (4-2-3-1): Herrerin; De Marcos, Alvarez, Etxeita, Saborit; Iturraspe, Etxebarria; Iñaki Williams, Vesga, Susaeta; Aduriz.
MARSEILLE (4-2-3-1): Mandanda; Sakai, Rami, Rolando, Amavi; Zambo Anguissa, Sanson; Thauvin, Payet, Ocampos; Mitroglou.
Prediction Today: 2-1, 1X FIRST TIME
Odds: 1.26
