But what happened in the locker room of Olympique de Marseille at half-time of their Champions League match against Newcastle, Tuesday November 25? A rant? An awareness? A sacred union to finally live up to European demands? Feverish, wait-and-see then imprecise in the first period, coach Roberto de Zerbi’s team returned transfigured to the pitch at the Vélodrome stadium. And in four short minutes overthrew a game which until then seemed very poorly off to a good start. Two fantastic goals from his « ancien » Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, a 36-year-old striker with always crazy acceleration, and an assist from his debutant of the day, Darryl Bakola, almost 20 years younger, warmed up an audience on the verge of freezing. And gave OM a capital victory in an already decisive match (2-1).
This second success after five days of the Champions League puts the Marseille club back on the right European trajectory. Despite its three defeats, Marseille occupies – while waiting for the Wednesday matches – the 19the place in the competition rankings. And its victory over Newcastle, one of the very good teams in the Premier League, the English championship, gives it the legitimacy to claim a place among the twenty-four clubs which will compete in the final phase in spring 2026.
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