Jean-Louis Gasset, who spoke at a press conference previewing the first leg of this European competition, acknowledged the quality of the Portuguese team.

"Benfica has been working very well for many years. We are going to have a game with a historic club, which has already won the Champions League. Benfica is a mix of very experienced players, such as Otamendi and Di Maria, but also of young players who are about to explode and show themselves in Europe," he said.

Marseille, which comes from four consecutive defeats, three in the French championship and one in the Europa League (3-1) against Villarreal, has, for the coach, in the clash with Benfica an extra motivational element.

"The players approach the Europa League with a different state of mind, not that of the French League. I hope to see that against Benfica. I know very well that it is a privilege to play the quarter-finals of the Europa League. It is not every day that players can play the quarter-finals, so they have to raise the level even more," he said.

Struggling with several physical limitations, Jean-Lous Gasset hopes to count this Thursday on the return of Chancel Mbemba, who represented FC Porto between 2018/19 and 2021/22, having won two Portuguese Leagues, two Portuguese Cups and one Super Cup.

"We have to adapt to work on the defensive line. For example, Mbemba was called up and will now do the last training session. Then we will put the best team on the field. But it is true that, for example, on our right side, Ismaila Sarr is sorely missed," he agreed.

Marseille fights for honor in this Europa League, since, internally, life is not going very well, currently sharing eighth place in the French League with Rennes, with 39 points, four away from the place of access to the play-off of the Europa Conference League, five from the Europa League and 10 from the third preliminary round of the 'champions'.

Ingredients that spice up the match with Benfica and, in a strong move, Marseille called for this press conference the star of the company, the Gabonese Pierre Aubameyang, for whom this European competition is, in part, the anchor of the season.

"This Europa League is our ray of sunshine. It won't be the only way to save the season, there are still games in the French League. As long as we have hope, we will continue to give our best," he guaranteed.

Aubameyang, who has already faced 'the incarnates' wearing the colors of the Germans from Borussia Dortmund - he scored three goals - and the English from Arsenal - he scored two -, has not yet 'scored' at the Estádio da Luz. A record that the Gabonese international now intends to break against an opponent he considers dangerous.

"Facing Di Maria brings respect. He had an excellent career and makes a difference. I respect him very much. He is a dangerous player and it will be good to play against him. We will find an excellent atmosphere in this stadium. We are in the quarter-finals. This game is very important. If we get a good result here, at home we have already shown that we are capable of anything. We want to win this game and pass the tie," he wished.

"Football is a party. It is logical that the fans can support us here, as it will be logical to have Benfica fans at the Vélodrome next week," said Jean-Louis Gasset, during the press conference previewing the match, held today at the Estádio da Luz.

This hope was also expressed by Gabonese striker Aubameyang, who described as "disappointing" the decision to prevent Marseille fans from attending Thursday's match.

"Regarding the decision not to have fans, it is disappointing. Let's hope that the decision can change by the time of the game. We need our fans. They are present in all the stadiums where we go. We have to stay positive," said Aubameyang.

On Wednesday, the Lisbon club issued a note revealing that it had been notified that the 'incarnate' fans would not be able to attend the second leg match, to be played in a week at the Vélodrome, and that, also for security reasons, it would cancel the tickets already sold to Gallic fans for Thursday's match at the Estádio da Luz.

This Thursday, at 8 pm, Benfica will host Marseille, in the first leg of the quarter-finals of the Europa League, which will be refereed by Englishman Michael Oliver.

Leia Também: Atenção, Benfica. Claques do Marseille garantem presença em Lisboa (Portuguese version)