By: Oma Akatugba
The manager of Olympic Marseille, Luis Garcia thinks it is not a shame for his team to have lost to Spanish side Atletico Madrid in the final of the 2017/2018 UEFA Europa Cup final, played yesterday, the 17th at the Stade de Lyon in France. Luis Garcia’s men lost 3-0, having started the tie like a house on fire, with Valerie Germain fluffing his line, after being beautifully set up by Dimitry Payet, who was later substituted due to injury
We missed some opportunities in the first half. We had the best goal opportunities and then we made some mistakes. We made a mistake and that cost us a game with a team like Atletico, you don’t concede such a goal. They raised their higher level. I think the score does not capture the game but the most experienced team won. We should not be ashamed of losing this match. Atletico is a big team. While speaking to the press after the game, Garcia said
“We missed some opportunities in the first half. We had the best goal opportunities and then we made some mistakes. We made a mistake and that cost us a game. and with a team like Atletico, you don’t concede such a goal”
Atletico who needed time to find their balance, went ahead through a cool finish by Antoine Griezman, after being gifted the ball by the Olympic Marseille defender.
“They raised their game to a higher level in the second half, but I think the score does not reflect the game, but the most experienced team won. We should not be ashamed of losing this match. Atletico is a big team”. Garcia added.
Olympic Marseille’s only silverware in Europe remains the UEFA Champions League trophy won in 1993, Albeit controversial, while for Atletico, this becomes its 3rd UEFA Europa cup trophy, having won the maiden edition back in 2009/2010
French forward and Atletico’s Antoine Grieyman won the Man of the match award for the night.