Meet the Europa League semi-finalists
Friday, April 13, 2018
Article summary
From former winners Atlético to surprise package Salzburg, meet the four teams still standing.
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The draw (semi-finals played 26 April & 3 May)
Marseille v Salzburg
Arsenal v Atlético Madrid
Final: Lyon, 16 May
Marseille (FRA)
UEFA club ranking: 51
Entry: third qualifying round
This season: P16 W8 D4 L4 F25 A13
Possible first-choice XI: Pelé; Sakai, Rolando, Luiz Gustavo, Amavi; Sanson, Anguissa, Ocampos, Thauvin, Payet; Mitroglou
Top scorer: Ocampos (4)
Current league position: 4th
Last UCUP/UEL semi-final: 2003/04, won 2-0 v Newcastle
European Cup semi-final record: W2 L0
UCUP/UEL best: runners-up (1999, 2004)
Why they might win it: Flair and in-form attacking options will trouble anyone.
Salzburg (AUT)
UEFA club ranking: 30
Entry: play-offs (via UCL 3QR)
This season: P14 W8 D5 L1 F26 A11
Possible first-choice XI: Walke; Ulmer, Ćaleta-Car, André Ramalho, Lainer; Berisha, Samassekou, Schlager, Haidara; Dabbur, Hwang.
Top scorer: Berisha, Dabbur (5)
Current league position: 1st
Last UCUP/UEL semi-final: 1993/94, won 1-1 against Karlsruher
UCUP/UEL semi-final record: W1 L0
Previous UCUP/UEL campaigns: 16
UCUP/UEL best: runners-up (1994)
Why they might win it: One defeat in 21 matches in European competition.
Arsenal (ENG)
UEFA club ranking: 9
Entry: group stage
This season: P12 W8 D2 L2 F29 A10
Possible first-choice XI: Čech; Bellerín, Mustafi, Koscielny, Monreal; Xhaka, Wilshere, Ramsey; Özil, Welbeck, Lacazette
Top scorer: Ramsey (4)
Current league position: 6th
Last UCUP/UEL semi-final: 1999/2000, won 3-1 v Lens
UCUP/UEL semi-final record: W1 L0
UCUP/UEL best: runners-up (2000)
Why they might win it: Capable of beating anyone with the attacking talent at their disposal.
Atlético Madrid (ESP)
UEFA club ranking: 3
Entry: round of 32 (via #UCL group stage)
This season: P6 W5 D0 L1 F15 A3
Possible first-choice XI: Oblak; Juanfran, Savić, Godín, Lucas; Correa, Saúl, Gabi, Koke; Griezmann, Diego Costa
Top scorer: Saúl, Griezmann (3)
Current league position: 2nd
Last UCUP/UEL semi-final: 2011/12, won 5-2 v Valencia
UCUP/UEL semi-final record: W2 L3
UCUP/UEL best: winners (2010, 2012)
Why they might win it: Quality in every position and a very resilient defence.
Legend
UCL – UEFA Champions League
UEL – UEFA Europa League
UCUP – UEFA Cup
Stats do not include qualifying. UEFA club ranking may be subject to further updates on Friday morning.
