Marseille vs Atletico Madrid. UEFA Europa League Final.
Stade des LumieresAttendance55,768.
Wednesday 16 May 2018 18:49, UK
Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone has warned not to take Europa League opponents Marseille lightly in Wednesday's final.
Atletico are playing in their third European final in five years, having lost the Champions League finals of 2014 and 2016, after winning the Europa League under his guidance in 2012.
Marseille, contrastingly, have not been in the last two of a European tournament for more than a decade, but with their impressive run to Lyon Simeone is loathe to pay too much attention to history.
He said: "Experience is a little thing that can help but it's not going to have too much influence.
"We'll be excited, up for it, but also tense. We need to take the game where we want it and do damage where we can."
Marseille have brought in the likes of Dimitri Payet and Florian Thauvin, players who have given them an attacking edge and aided them on their course to the final, and have both left Simeone impressed by Atletico's opponents at the Groupama Stadium.
"They've had a great season, at home and on the continent," he added.
"We're two similar sides. They've maybe not been together as long as we have but they're just as enthusiastic and work hard. It'll be a great final."
Marseille go into the final as underdogs, partly due to that lack of experience in European competitions.
But their performance both domestically and on the continent, having missed out on second place in Ligue 1 by only three points, and reaching the final two of the Europa League, has marked a positive season for Rudi Garcia and his side.
Payet, who has scored 10 times and made 24 assists for the club this season, said: "We believe against Atletico
because this season has shown that we are a real team. We've proven that we could overcome some steep challenges.
"We have the chance to play at home - in our country - with a national fervour.
"Today, of course, Atletico are favourites. They want to win the Champions League and the Europa League, but we will play with our heart."
Filipe Luis, who had been expected to miss the final, has been named in Atletico's squad but is unlikely to start with Lucas Hernandez proving an able understudy in his absence.
Payet should be fit to start for Marseille, having missed their weekend game with Guingamp with a muscle complaint. Right-back Bouna Sarr has an issue with his shoulder but could be fit, with Hiroki Sakai likely to take his place if not.