Newcastle’s Late Collapse Costs Them Victory Against Marseille

Newcastle United lost a crucial Champions League match against Marseille, succumbing to a 2-1 defeat after leading for much of the game. The Magpies were on track for victory at the Stade Velodrome until a brief but damaging period at the start of the second half turned the tide in favor of the home side.

Newcastle started strong, with Harvey Barnes scoring in the sixth minute, putting the team ahead early. However, just seconds into the second half, Nick Pope made a critical error that allowed Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to equalize for Marseille. The 36-year-old striker then netted the winning goal, marking his 400th career goal.

Dan Burn, reflecting on the match, expressed his disappointment regarding the pivotal moments that cost Newcastle dearly. Speaking to TNT Sports, Burn stated, “It’s definitely frustrating. I thought we stuck to the game-plan pretty well for the whole game, just 10, 15 minutes of madness at the start of the second half has cost us.”

Burn acknowledged the electric atmosphere at the Stade Velodrome, stating, “It’s disappointing to come to a team like this and a stadium like this, atmosphere like this and put all that in and not come away with anything.” He highlighted the need for better mental preparation after halftime, noting that Aubameyang’s experience and finishing ability made a significant impact on the game.

Newcastle’s head coach, Eddie Howe, echoed Burn’s sentiments regarding the team’s performance. He remarked, “The start of the second half obviously was a big one for us and 15 minutes at the start of the second half, I thought, cost us.” Howe praised his players for their first-half performance but lamented their lack of concentration immediately after the break.

According to Howe, the quick equalizer shifted the momentum in favor of Marseille, making it difficult for Newcastle to regain control. “It was just a lapse in concentration from our perspective, I think, and then we didn’t maybe react well enough to that,” he said. Despite having opportunities to score, Newcastle failed to capitalize, leaving them disappointed with the outcome.

For Aubameyang, the match was a personal triumph, as he celebrated two goals to help his team maintain their Champions League hopes. When asked about his future in football, he confidently stated, “Hopefully a lot. I’m feeling great even if I’m 36. I’m enjoying it and when you live these types of games, of course you want to play more and score more.”

The loss leaves Newcastle with significant work to do in their Champions League campaign. The team will need to regroup quickly as they look to secure their position in the tournament moving forward.