Kick-off on 07.03.24 22:00.

In the 1/8 finals of the Europa League at the Vélodrome, the first match between Marseille and Villarreal will take place. The hosts opened the season in the third round of the Champions League qualifiers but failed to advance past Panathinaikos (0-1, 2-1, 3-5 on penalties). In Group F, the Phocaeans collected eleven points from matches against Ajax (3-3, 4-3), AEK (2-0, 3-1), and Brighton (2-2, 0-1). In the previous stage, the southerners eliminated Shakhtar (2-2, 3-1). Aubameyang scored seven goals and provided an assist, while Clauss scored one goal and made five assists. Villarreal topped Group F (thirteen points), facing Rennes (3-2, 1-0), Maccabi Haifa (2-1, 0-0), and Panathinaikos (0-2, 3-2). Baena contributed with four-goal involvements.

The Megogo platform will broadcast the first leg between Marseille and Villarreal on March 7, 2024, online. Marseille have reached the round of 16 six times in their history. In UEFA 1998/99 and 2003/04, they defeated Monaco (2-2, 1-0) and Liverpool (2-1, 1-1). In the 2008/09 season, Marseille eliminated Ajax (2-1, 2-2) but lost to Benfica (1-1, 1-2) the following campaign. In the 2017/18 tournament, they overcame Athletic Bilbao (3-1, 2-1). According to Squawka, Aubameyang became the top scorer in the Europa League after the reorganization (thirty-one goals) following the clash with Shakhtar. According to StatsFoot, seventy-year-old Gasse is the oldest French coach in the competition's history.

Villarreal has appeared in the round of 16 seven times in the last twenty years. In UEFA 2003/04 and 2004/05, they defeated Roma (2-0, 1-2) and Steaua (2-0, 0-0). In the 2010/11 and 2015/16 editions, they overcame Bayer (2-1, 3-2 and 2-0, 0-0). In the 2014/15 season, they lost to Sevilla (1-2, 1-3), but three years ago, they defeated Dynamo Kyiv (2-0, 2-0). RMC Sport reports that the club has hired security guards for coach Marcelino, who left the Southerners in 2023 due to fan pressure.

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