If you ever want a perfect example of a football match being a tale of two halves, look no further than what happened at the Stade Vélodrome. For 45 minutes, it looked like Newcastle were cruising, putting on a professional away performance in the Champions League. But then, a veteran striker decided to rewrite the entire script in just five breathtaking minutes.
Key Highlights
- ✓ Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored twice in five minutes (46', 50') to seal a dramatic comeback for Marseille.
- ✓ Harvey Barnes had given Newcastle an early lead with a confident 6th-minute strike, his third goal in four days.
- ✓ A critical error by Newcastle goalkeeper Nick Pope, rushing from his line, gifted Aubameyang the equalizing goal.
- ✓ Marseille overcame a significant injury crisis, with key defenders Nayef Aguerd and Facundo Medina sidelined.
- ✓ The match took place at a "stupendously designed, incredibly atmospheric" Stade Vélodrome in front of 64,521 fans. It's important to highlight
Howe's Tactical Gamble Pays Off. At First
Going into this clash, Eddie Howe threw a curveball with his team selection. He decided to field a 3-5-2 formation, a move designed to get both of his in-form left-wingers, Anthony Gordon and Harvey Barnes, on the pitch at the same time. It was a bold move, especially in such a hostile environment, but boy, did it seem to work early on.
The Magpies came out flying. Just six minutes in, the ever-influential Sandro Tonali broke through the Marseille lines, found Gordon, who nudged it on to Barnes. Without a second thought, Barnes lashed a left-footed shot past Gerónimo Rulli. It was his third goal in two games after that brilliant double against Manchester City, and Newcastle had their precious away goal.
For much of the first half, Newcastle’s well-organized 5-4-1 defensive shape frustrated the home side. They looked comfortable, threatening on the counter-attack and limiting Marseille to half-chances. But slowly, the tide began to turn. The hosts started dominating possession, and a familiar face began to cause problems.
Five Minutes of Aubameyang Brilliance
Whatever was said in the Marseille dressing room at halftime clearly worked wonders. The second half started, and before anyone could even settle back into their seats, the game was turned on its head. Just 20 seconds after the restart, a long ball from 17-year-old debutant Darryl Bakola sent Aubameyang racing through.
In a moment he’ll want to forget, Newcastle United goalkeeper Nick Pope made what was described as an "ill-judged attempt" to beat the striker to the ball. He came rushing off his line, was easily rounded by Aubameyang, who then coolly slotted the ball into the net from a ridiculously tight angle. It was a finish of pure class that punished a moment of madness.
Talk about a gut punch for Newcastle. And it was about to get worse. Less than five minutes later, the comeback was complete. Timothy Weah delivered a cross from the right, and there was Aubameyang again, getting ahead of Fabian Schär to instinctively toe-poke the ball past Pope at the near post. Industry experts suggest that The Stade Vélodrome erupted. In the blink of an eye, a comfortable 1-0 lead had become a disastrous 2-1 deficit. It's worth noting that
Even at 36 years old, Aubameyang showed everyone why Eddie Howe had warned his team about him before the match. He was simply unstoppable. After receiving a standing ovation, he said it all: "I'm feeling great, even if I'm 36. I want to play more Champions League games and score more goals. "
A Painful Lesson and a Resilient Victory
After the match, Eddie Howe didn't hide his disappointment. "That was particularly painful," he admitted. "We’d worked ourselves into a strong position but 10 minutes at the start of the second half cost us. It was a concentration lapse. " This insight only highlights Newcastle's "persistent travel sickness," as the team has apparently only managed one away win since April.
What makes this victory even more remarkable for Marseille is the context of their crippling injury list. Manager Roberto De Zerbi went into this crucial match without key defenders Nayef Aguerd, battling a persistent pubalgia issue, and Facundo Medina, who suffered a relapse of an ankle injury and won't be back until January.
De Zerbi's Mounting Selection Puzzle
De Zerbi was blunt about Medina's absence, stating, "He is difficult to replace, both because of his character and his physical attributes. " On top of that, the team is also missing key attackers Amine Gouiri and Hamed Traore, forcing the manager to rely on the versatility of players like Timothy Weah and Mason Greenwood to plug gaps and maintain an attacking threat. Industry experts suggest that
Despite being so undermanned, Marseille showed incredible spirit. They dug deep, weathered the early storm, and pounced when their moment came. It's worth noting that It was a testament to their resilience and the tactical adaptability of their manager, proving that even with a depleted squad, they can deliver on the biggest stage.
Conclusion
In the end, this was a classic Champions League night defined by fine margins. Newcastle will be kicking themselves for letting a winning position slip through their fingers due to a brief, but fatal, lapse in concentration. For Marseille, it was a victory forged in adversity, powered by the timeless quality of a veteran striker who simply refused to be beaten.
The game served as a brutal reminder that in European football, you can't switch off for a single second. It's worth noting that For Newcastle, it was a case of being "mugged in the manner of naive tourists," a harsh lesson learned. For Marseille and the evergreen Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, it was a night of pure, unadulterated triumph.
