Europa League: Marseille, Atalanta Draw In Semifinal First Leg

Marseille and Atalanta drew 1-1 in Thursday's Europa League semifinal first leg in France.

Gianluca Scamacca gave Atalanta an early lead to silence a huge crowd at a packed Velodrome, but Chancel Mbemba quickly pulled Marseille level with a stunning strike from outside the box.

The draw means it will be all to play for in the second leg in Bergamo next Thursday, although Atalanta will be the favourites, as they dream of reaching a European final for the first time in their history.

"It is good for us to come away from here unbeaten," said Atalanta coach Gian Piero Gasperini. "It is a very positive result for us because Marseille were strong. They have only lost once here all season and we found out why that is tonight."