Europa League: Wenger aims to sign off on a high

After failing to make the most of the numerical advantage at the Emirates last week, Arsene Wenger and Arsenal travel to Madrid in a bid to salvage their season while Salzburg's fairytale run might come to an end at the hands of Marseille with the Austrian champion having to turn around a two-goal deficit.

Atletico Madrid vs Arsenal (agg: 1-1)

After failing to make the most of the numerical advantage at the Emirates Stadium last week, Arsene Wenger and Arsenal travel to Madrid in a bid to salvage their season. In the first leg of the semifinal, Atletico Madrid was down to 10 men for over 80 minutes, yet, it managed to escape with a 1-1 scoreline.

Diego Simeone's men will be feeling lucky when they take the field at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium on Thursday for the return leg of the Europa League semifinal.

For Wenger, who is approaching the end of his 22-year reign at Arsenal, the competition remains the last opportunity for him to have a shot at achieving European success with the club.

Team news

The Frenchman, who started a second-string team in the weekend defeat to Manchester United, will be bringing back his big hitters back into the line-up for the second leg. Mesut Ozil, Laurent Koscielny, Petr Cech, Alexandre Lacazette were among the players were rested for the trip to Old Trafford.

Read: Touchline ban has no impact on second leg, says Simeone

While Mohamed Elneny is out for the season with an ankle injury, Sead Kolasinac (groin) remains doubtful for the tie. Henrikh Mkhitaryan (knee) and Alex Iwobi (hamstring) have been passed fit for the trip.

The fit-again Diego Costa will be among the first name in Atletico's team-sheet. Sime Vrsaljko is suspended from the first leg after he picked up a red card in the ninth minute.

Possible line-ups

Atletico (4-4-2):  Oblak; Giminez, Godin, Savic, Hernandez; Koke, Gabi, Saul Niguez, Correa; Costa, Griezmann

Arsenal(4-3-3):  Cech; Bellerin, Mustafi, Koscielny, Monreal; Xhaka, Ramsey, Wilshere; Ozil, Lacazette, Welbeck

Stats

Atletico striker Diego Costa has three goals in six matches against the Gunners during his time at Chelsea

Lacazette has four goals from his last three matches.

 

 

Red Bull Salzburg vs Marseille (agg: 0-2)

Red Bull Salzburg's fairytale run in the Europa League might come to an end on Thursday at the hands of Marseille with the Austrian champion having to turn around a two-goal deficit.

To mount a comeback the Salzburg defence will need to keep Marseille's Florian Thauvin in check. The French forward has 24 goals and 12 assists to his name and will be key for Rudi Garcia's side getting an away goal.

These two sides met in the group stages of the competition in September last year with FC Salzburg emerging a 1-0 winner at the Red Bull Arena. Forward Moanes Dabour is the home side's top-scorer this season with 26 strikes.

Team news

Salzburg has a full squad to choose from for the match with no injuries or suspensions.

Marseille skipper Steven Mandanda was forced off from the pitch during a Ligue 1 game last week and was feared to be out for the rest of the season. But, the goalkeeper, surprisingly, made a return to full training on Tuesday, raising hopes of his inclusion.

RB Salzburg (4-3-3):  Walke; Lainer, Ramalho, Caleta-Car, Ulmer; Haidara, Berisha, Samasekkou;, Hwang, Dabour, Schalger

Marseille (4-2-3-1):  Mandanda; Sarr, Rami, Gustavo, Amavi; Sanson, Lopez; Thauvin, Payet, Ocampos; Mitroglou

Stats

Thauvin has six goals and an assist from his last five matches