Atletico Madrid eye third Europa League title
What's the story
Atletico Madrid and Olympique de Marseille will battle on Wednesday night in Lyon for the coveted piece of silverware- the Europa League. No French team has ever won the Europa League title and Marseille will be out to set that record right. On the other hand, seasoned campaigners Atletico Madrid will be eyeing their third title. So who holds the edge?
Favourites
Atletico look to repeat 2010 and 2012 feat
Atletico are the favorites to lift the title. With Costa and Griezmann upfront Simeone's men have plenty of firepower. They are also defensively very strong with Godin leading the back four. Oblak has developed into one of the finest goalkeepers across the globe and with a quality defense to aid him Atletico look unbreachable.
Stakes are high
Can Marseille become 1st French team to win Europa League?
Olympique de Marseille will be no pushovers and will look towards Dimitri Payet and Florian Thauvin. The duo have been on fire since returning from the Premier League. The French side might be the underdogs but these two men have enough quality to cause problems for Atletico. It's a big final and Marseille could go on to prove all their doubters wrong.
Head-to-head
Marseille have never beaten Atletico Madrid
Wednesday night's clash will be the third time these two sides go head to head against each other. In both of the previous encounters, Marseille couldn't manage to beat Atletico. They met in the 2008/09 Champions League group where Atletico beat them 2-1 at the Vicente Calderón. And then were held to a goalless draw in the return fixture.