Marseille has defeated Red Bull Salzburg 2-0 at the Stade Veledrome to take control of their Europa League semi-final tie with the Austrian side.
Les Phoceens made it eight wins in their last nine European home ties through goals from Florian Thauvin and substitute Clinton N’Jie either side of half time.
The second goal came somewhat against the run of play, as the visitors gave a good account of themselves and squandered decent opportunities at 1-0 and 2-0, offering enough to suggest that this tie is not over just yet.
Salzburg, the only remaining side in the competition yet to lift a major UEFA trophy, took some time to get going in the sold-out Veledrome and were behind 15 minutes in.
Dimitri Payet, now directly involved in eight knockout-round goals after tonight, sent in a perfect set-piece delivery for Thauvin to guide past Alexander Walke, although the final touch came off his hand.
After a bright start to the second period Die Roten Bullen’s best opening fell the way of Hannes Wolf, who was denied by Pele when bursting through on goal.
Payet laid the ball into Njie’s path following a swift counter and the substitute forward kept his composure to slot it past Walke.
Leading scorer Munas Dabbur wasted half a chance for Salzburg soon after as the 11-time Austrian champs chased an away goal, before Fredrik Gulbrandsen went closer with his strike against the post from a close-range chance.
That would prove to be it, leaving Salzburg – beaten for just a third time in 16 away outings – with it all to do in the return fixture next week.
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