Olympique de Marseille’s Dimitri Payet set up both goals as he guided them to an impressive 2-0 home win over Salzburg in the first leg of their Europa League semi-final on Thursday.
Florian Thauvin headed in Payet’s free kick after 15 minutes and Clinton Njie calmly slotted home in the 63rd to put Marseille in the driving seat against the Austrian champions.
Payet has played a key role in Marseille’s run to the last four with five assists and three goals in the knockout stages.
The Frenchman is making a late bid for a place in France’s World Cup squad with an impressive run of form.
Salzburg’s Fredrik Gulbrandsen had their best chance when he volleyed against the post late in the second half.
The second leg of the semi-final match will be decided on May 3 as Marseille travel to Austria with a two-goal advantage. (Reuters/NAN)
