Marseille took a firm grip on their UEFA Europa League semi-final against Salzburg with a goal in each half, while the visitors failed to get a valuable away goal despite several presentable opportunities.
Dimitri Payet had already had one chance to deliver a free-kick into the Salzburg area without reward, and when the visitors erred again they were made to pay. The OM skipper’s inviting set piece from the right was misjudged by Alexander Walke and Florian Thauvin applied the finishing touch at the far post.
Salzburg’s best chances in the first half came from their full-backs, Stefan Lainer fizzing a shot low past the upright before Andre…