Hell went pschitt.
After the serious incidents between supporters a week ago, Olympique de Marseille did not really tremble in the cauldron of the Toumba stadium, the lair of PAOK Salonika.
The dreaded trip to Thessaloniki finally turned into a pleasant trip to Greece.
After their narrow success in the first leg, Jorge Sampaoli's players did it again in Greek Macedonia (1-0).
A good habit that Steve Mandanda's teammates have not left for 8 games now and as many victories in a row in all competitions.
It is in the costume of the brand new semi-finalist of the Europa League Conference that OM will present themselves on Sunday against PSG in a clash between the first two in the classification.
In the explosive atmosphere of the Toumba stadium, OM perfectly contained the Greek enthusiasm, driven by their 30,000 spectators.
The absence of the Provençal supporters who remained at La Canebière for security reasons was not too detrimental.
As expected, the Greeks wrapped the game in seething, dizzying chaos.
From the 10th minute, Steve Mandanda celebrated his 99th European Cup match with dignity by fending off a strike from Akpom, then boxing a header from Crespo, left alone at the far post (11th).
Lyon did not make the weight
The Marseillais then resume the game in hand.
They are on the verge of opening the scoring on a big defensive error from PAOK: Ingason narrowly misses his own goalkeeper, saved by his post (26th).
On his first real chance, Mattéo Guendouzi crosses perfectly for Dimitri Payet, who only has to push the ball into the back of Paschalakis' net (0-1, 34th).
The French international goes straight to celebrate his goal with the Marseille bench in dead silence.
This goal makes the rest even easier for the Marseillais, who manage the second period perfectly and could have won even more widely.
For the 7th semi-final in its history (1988, 1990, 1991, 1999, 2004, 2018), OM will face the Dutch from Feyenoord Rotterdam, current 3rd in their championship.
The Batavians got rid (3-3, 1-3) of the Czechs of Slavia Prague.
The matches will take place on April 28 and May 5 (return match at the Orange Vélodrome).
On paper, OM will be favored by forecasts.
The other semi-final will oppose José Mourinho's AS Roma to the English of Leicester executioners of Rennes in the round of 16.
“We are gradually getting closer to our goal of going all the way.
We deserve our qualification, ”welcomed midfielder Valentin Rongier at the microphone of Canal + Sport after the meeting.
Marseille will be the last French representative, this season, in the European Cup since the adventure came to an abrupt end for Lyon, crushed (0-3) by West Ham in the Europa League.
A cruel disappointment for OL who could not confirm their good draw (1-1) in England.
The Hammers took their ease before the break through Dawson then Rice, and immediately removed all suspense from the game after the break with the third goal signed Bowen.
OL then failed to recover.
It is definitely a very sad season for the club of Jean-Michel Aulas which points to a very lackluster 10th place in Ligue 1.
