On 26 October, one of the matches of the Europa League in football took place. Marseille (France) and AEK (Athens) met.
Europa League
Marseille (France) - AEK (Athens ) - 3:1 (1:0)
Goals: Vitinha (27), A. Harit (60), Jordan Veretout (69) - Orbelin Pineda (53).
Warnings: D. Sidibe (12), L. Balerdi (26), Jonathan Clauss (32), L. Rota (45+3), N. Amrabat (69), J. Jonsson (83)
Marseille were victorious in their UEFA Europa League match against AEK Athens at the Stade Orange Velodrome. The score was 1-0 at half-time and the match ended with a final score of 3-1 in favour of the home side. The match started on a tense note with both teams looking to dominate the game. In the 12th minute, AEK Athens player D. Sidibe received a yellow card, setting the tone for an aggressive fight. Marseille's L. Balerdi followed suit and was cautioned with a yellow card in the 26th minute. The first goal of the match came in the 27th minute when Vitinha headed the ball into the Marseille net - 1-0. The game continued to be fiercely contested, with Marseille's J. Clauss receiving a yellow card in the 32nd minute. Towards the end of the first half, AEK Athens made their first substitution, replacing E. Hajsafi with M. Mohammadi. However, this transition was not smooth for the visiting team, as just before the half-time whistle L. Rota received a yellow card. In the second half, the fate of AEK Athens changed. In the 53rd minute O. Pineda scored a great goal, levelling the score 1:1. However, the joy was short-lived, as in the 57th minute K. Stankovic received a red card and AEK Athens were left with ten men.
Marseille took advantage of this opportunity and in the 60th minute A. Harit scored from the penalty spot. The home side continued to dominate and in the 69th minute N. Amrabat of AEK Athens received a yellow card. In the 69th minute Marseille realised another penalty, which was successfully converted by J. Veretou. Veretou. In the second half, both teams made several substitutions to freshen up the squads. In the 74th minute, Marseille's A. Harit came on in place of P. Aubameyang, whose contribution to the game was very noticeable. In the same minute Vitinha was replaced by I. Sarra. AEK Athens responded with three substitutions: P. Mantalos, G. Athanasiadis and N. Eliasson replaced N. Amrabat, E. Ponce and D. Szymanski respectively. In the 83rd minute, as the match entered its final stages, AEK Athens' J. Jonsson received a yellow card. In the 86th minute, Marseille almost increased their lead, but the goal was cancelled due to an offside call on I. Sarr. In the last minutes of the game Marseille made three more substitutions, replacing B. Nadir, M. Murillo and A. Meite with J. Clauss, J. Verey, J. Clauss, J. Verey, J. M. M. Moyté and J. Moyté. Clauss, J. Veretoux and L. Balerdi respectively. These changes were aimed at consolidating their advantage and taking the match to victory. In the end, Marseille's strong play proved too difficult for AEK Athens. The home team won 3-1, leaving the fans at the Orange Velodrome jubilant.
The following matches await the rivals in the next round: AEK vs Marseille, AEK vs Marseille.
| Marseille | AEK | |
|---|---|---|
| 8 | Kicks to the goal | 2 |
| 13 | Kicks | 7 |
| 0 | Blocked shots | 1 |
| 10 | Penalty kicks | 5 |
| 3 | Kicks from outside the penalty box | 2 |
| 14 | Offences | 16 |
| 3 | Corner | 0 |
| 3 | Offsides | 6 |
| 60% | Ball possession | 40% |
| 2 | Yellow cards | 4 |
| 0 | Red cards | 1 |
| 1 | Keeper saves | 5 |
| 494 | Total assists | 325 |
| 425 | Accurate assists | 264 |
| 86% | Accuracy of passes | 81% |