French giants Marseille are the dominant side in our Europa League team of the semi-finals after securing their spot in the final of the competition at Salzburg’s expense. The Ligue 1 outfit have no fewer than five representatives in the best-rated XI of the round, with former Newcastle man Florian Thauvin the stand out performer.
The winger, who has been in stunning form in France’s top tier, netted a key goal in the first leg 2-0 win over Salzburg, with that coming from four shots on goal. 11 successful dribbles was the second best return of the semi-finals, with his performances over the two legs returning a WhoScored.com rating of 7.99. Attacking partner in crime Dimitri Payet also makes the cut having assisted all three of Marseille’s goals against Salzburg. The Frenchman made more key passes (10) than any other Europa League player in the semi-finals and gained a WhoScored.com rating of 7.91 as a result.
Arsenal man Granit Xhaka partners Payet in the middle of the park. The Swiss midfielder may have been on the losing side against Atletico Madrid, but it wasn’t for want of trying, with Xhaka making seven tackles and interceptions combined and more passes (209) than any other player to return a WhoScored.com rating of 7.50. Teammate Mesut Özil rounds off the midfield with his seven key passes second only to Payet in the semi-finals. An additional five tackles and seven successful dribbles saw the Arsenal man earn a WhoScored.com rating of 7.38.
Alexandre Lacazette is the third of four Arsenal players to make the cut, despite their exit at the hands of Atletico Madrid. The France international came away from the two-legged meeting with the La Liga side with a WhoScored.com rating of 7.52, with the Gunners forward scoring one from his eight shots against Diego Simeone’s team. Antoine Griezmann partners his compatriot in attack, with the Atletico star excellent over the two legs. The France forward earned the player of the week award for his performance on Thursday night, while one goal and one assist across both meetings with Arsenal saw the 27-year-old come away with a WhoScored.com rating of 7.81.
In defence, Marseille pair Bouna Sarr and Jordan Amavi make up the full-back spots. Despite scoring an own goal on Thursday night, right-back Sarr impressed over the two legs against Salzburg, completing more dribbles (15) than any other player in the semi-finals to help gain a WhoScored.com rating of 7.77. Amavi, too, was key in Marseille’s progression to the final, with the former Aston Villa man making more tackles (12) than any other player to help push his WhoScored.com rating up to 7.56.
Diego Godin was imperious at the Emirates and Wanda Metropolitano, winning five aerial duels, making 13 clearances, four interceptions and three tackles to make the grade with a WhoScored.com rating of 7.35. Arsenal centre-back Shkodran Mustafi partners Godin at the heart of the defence with a WhoScored.com rating of 7.22. The German centre-back won more aerial duels (11) than any other player in the semi-finals of the Europa League, with an additional seven tackles, six interceptions and seven clearances pushing his score so high.
.png "Marseille make up the bulk of Europa League best XI")
Rounding off the XI is Marseille shotstopper Yohann Pelé, who made 10 saves – more than any other goalkeeper – across the two legs, including a key one to deny Duje Caleta-Car in extra time in Austria on Thursday night. Two successful cross claims saw Pelé earn a WhoScored.com rating of 7.64 to take his place in the best-rated side of the Europa League semi-finals.
