Payet inspired by ’93 history boys
DIMITRI PAYET has urged Marseille to become European heroes tonight just like the famous 1993 Champions League-winning side.
No French club has ever won the UEFA Cup or Europa League but they have the advantage of a “home” final in Lyon in their bid to triumph over Atletico Madrid.
Former West Ham ace Payet is hoping the current crop can emulate Marseille’s history makers from 25 years ago by writing their names into club folklore.
He said: “We can now see the players who won the Champions League in 1993 are still heroes because nobody else has done it since. We know how tough it is.
“That is an added source of motivation and if we do win the final our names will be written into the club’s history books.
“It’s similar to Euro 2016 when we were at home. We can feel that passion from the French people.”
Payet has been in inspiring form this year – and Marseille coach Rudi Garcia believes his star man holds the key to glory.
Garcia said: “He has been at peak physical strength since January so he has been able to offer the full extent of his talents.
“He has been a role model as captain and often managed to raise the overall level of the team to enable us to reach the final.”
But Atletico striker Fernando Torres is desperate to end his time with the club on a high. The ex-Liverpool and Chelsea ace said: “Winning the Europa League trophy would without doubt be something special.”
Barcelona target Antoine Griezmann could also partner Diego Costa up front for the final time and warned Marseille the BY NEIL McLEMAN former Chelsea star will be a big threat at the Parc Olympique Lyonnais.
He said: “Diego is like an animal on the pitch and loves a scrap. The more he’s scrapping, the better he plays.”
With boss Diego Simeone still serving a ban for his conduct in the semi-final at Arsenal, German Burgos will take centre stage.
The Atletico No.2 was once banned for 11 games for knocking out a rival – and confronted then Real coach Jose Mourinho during a Madrid derby and shouted: “I’ll rip your head off ”.
Simeone hopes Atletico’s big-game experience, having lifted the cup in 2012 and reached Champions League finals in 2014 and 2016, is beneficial but insists there’s not much between the sides.
He said: “Experience can help but it’s not going to have too much influence. We’ll be up for it but also tense. We need to take the game and do damage where we can.
“They’ve had a great season. We’re similar sides. They’ve not been together as long as we have but they’re just as enthusiastic and work hard. It will be a great final.”