Match Previews

Marseille team news: Moder misses out, Mitoma fit to start

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All to play for as Europa League group stage reach its climax at the Amex on Thursday.

By BHAFC • 13 December 2023

By James Boardman
Kaoru Mitoma is fit to start Thursday's game against Marseille.

Albion face Marseille in a winner takes all match in the Europa League on Thursday at the Briighton & Hove Albion Stadium, kick-off 8pm.

Whoever wins will finish top of Group B, guaranteeing their place in the last 16 of the competition, while the loser will enter the knockout round – essentially the last 32 – where teams who finished third in their Champions League group drop down and play against the group runners-up in the Europa League.

Marseille head to the Amex knowing that just a point will be enough for them to finish top of the group, but Gennaro Gattuso’s team will want to finish the group stage unbeaten.

Team news

Roberto De Zerbi said that Jakub Moder will not be available on Thursday as he is not in the original Europa League squad, but otherwise the squad is the same as for last Saturday's game against Burnley.

He confirmed that Danny Welbeck is getting closer to a return and he could be on the bench on Sunday for the Premier League game at Arsenal. Kaoru Mitoma, who was on the bench against Burnley on Saturday, is fit to start, according to De Zerbi. 

View from the head coach

“We have played well in Europe and have won three games in a very tough group. There is another step, we have to try and win [on Thursday]. Marseille are a very good team but we have the ambition to finish top of our group.”

By James Boardman
Roberto De Zerbi addressed the media on Wednesday ahead of our Europa League game against Marseille.

“It’s a prestigious thing to finish top of the table, for the history of our club. We want to win – we are serious people and when we work, we want to show our best."

Our last meeting

22:32

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UEL Extended Highlights: Marseille 2 Brighton 2

Albion came from two goals down to secure their first point in the Europa League when we visited Marseille in October.

Chancel Mbemba put the hosts ahead after 19 minutes, before Albion found themselves 2-0 down just 60 seconds later when Jordan Veretout fired in.

Pascal Gross halved the deficit just after the restart, before Joao Pedro fired in late on from the penalty spot after Tariq Lamptey was upended.

Match officials

Referee: Jose Maria Sanchez Martinez

Assistant referees: Raul Cabanero Martinez, Inigo Prieto

Fourth official: Alejandro Ruiz

VAR: Juan Martinez Munuera