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Newcastle fall short in Marseille after ANOTHER Nick Pope mistake.
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Newcastle United fell to their second Champions League defeat of the season against Marseille after another Nick Pope mistake gave the French side an equaliser. Two goals from a former Premier League player condemned the Magpies to defeat.
Michael Grahamslaw gives his thoughts on the game, what went wrong for Newcastle and what on earth they have to do to get a win on the road this season.
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Transcript
Newcastle's Champions League Defeat Analysis
00:00:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Ladies, gentlemen and everybody in between, this is the Daily Newcastle. I'm Michael Grahamslaw and I am here after Newcastle United suffered their second Champions League defeat of the season at the hands of Marseille and France.
00:00:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
For the next 15 minutes I'll be going through my thoughts on the initial line-up, the game and where I think it leaves us going into the weekend fixture against Everton. So let's begin.
Lineup Changes: Strategic Moves or Missed Opportunities?
00:00:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
at the start The starting 11-3 changes for Newcastle United with Nick Vultomada, Joe Linton and Lewis Hall dropping out for Anthony Gordon, Joe Willick and Dan Byrne. And I'll be honest, when you look at the line-up, you're immediately hoping and praying it's a 5-3-2 with Tino Livramento as left-back and Jacob Murphy as right-wing-back with got Barnes and Gordon as a front-two. Because the thought of Mason Greenwood against Dan Byrne was absolutely terrifying.
00:01:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
um And thankfully that's what it was, despite TNT Sports saying it was a 4-3-3 at the start of the game. and But the change that I don't think anybody expected was Joe Willick starting the game.
00:01:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
I thought Joe Linton was pretty certain to start. If anything, he would have been dropped at the weekend with Ramsey starting at the weekend. Um... But I am glad that Ramsey wasn't the one to start tonight. i think he's a great player. We saw glimpses of that when he did come on. But the physical side of the game that we were expecting to see from Marseille, it's a big risk having an injury-prone player in there. And I think, not to be disrespectful to Joe Willock, but Newcastle United are much more happy to risk Joe Willock at this stage of his career than we are Jacob Ramsey at this stage in his Newcastle career.
00:01:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
Personally, I was very happy with the XI. um Chosen, I was more surprised that only three changes were actually um chosen from Eddie Howe. I did think he would either go with a lot more or none at all.
00:02:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
um I didn't think there'd be much in
High Press Surprise: Newcastle's Strong Start
00:02:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
between. But getting into the game, I think we started the game very strongly. Marseille's captain Balerdy carded for hacking down Joe Willigan like the opening minute.
00:02:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
Malik Chau had a header cleared off the line in the first three minutes. Newcastle started with the high press and surprised Marseille. It caught me off guard. It caught Marseille off guard.
00:02:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
And more importantly, it was the first time we'd seen the high press really away from home in the Champions League from Newcastle. We didn't see it too much against AC Milan, Borussia Dortmund.
00:02:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
or really PSG at the Parc de France two seasons ago. And we hadn't really seen it in the against Union Saint-Gilois either.
00:03:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
So it was really interesting to see how we started the game. um And it was really effective. and But I think this was the opposition to do it against. Marseille are the kind of team who, you know if you put them under pressure, they can create mistakes. And how many times in the first half did Newcastle manage to get in behind and But just not um convert the chance.
00:03:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
When we did convert the chance, um it was an early lead that we took. It was Harvey Barnes once again. He's in great form. um Comes from the high press. As I mentioned, Willick finds Tenali. Tenali's on the right-hand side. Fires it across goal.
00:03:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
Gordon gets a touch. And Barnes, it falls to Barnes. And Barnes fires across Rooley. What a start it was. But unfortunately, as always, Newcastle United take
Marseille's Dominance and Newcastle's Defensive Struggles
00:03:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
the lead.
00:03:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
And then they sit back. And for the next 15 minutes, I'm thinking, yeah, the Jacob but Murphy experiment isn't working here. We might need to make changes.
00:04:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
Igo Paksao was getting behind him every time he got the ball, and it felt like every time Jacob Murphy got the ball, he was either losing it or slowing player down. um And this isn't a fault of Jacob Murphy's. um I'll be honest, I can't fault a player against really tough opposition, playing out of position.
00:04:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
um Still had a decent game overall, but definitely not one of his bests. Yeah, for the rest of the game, mar well, for the rest the half, Marseille really dominated. Aubameyang had about four efforts in that first half, really. um The first is straight Nick Pope. The second, force is a much better save. and But again, it's one that is relatively close to Nick Pope. Both efforts are where Mason Greenwood slides him in behind. um And then his third chance...
00:04:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's a sitter. Aubameyang should have had a hat-trick. um Greenwood crosses once again from the right-hand side. The Gabon striker who, if you hadn't know, played against Heaton-Stannett a long time ago. I'm sure that'll go on Sky Sports again at some point. But yeah, Aubameyang heads wide from about six yards anything and thinking, wow, what a let-off.
00:05:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
I am really, really glad they've got Aubameyang up front and not someone that's a bit more clinical. Yeah, that goes well for about another 20 minutes. um But a big let-off for Newcastle, and later in the half, it gets a bit more close to a 50-50 game. Marseille were having the better the chances, but Tonali and Anthony Gordon forced Rooley into some decent saves, and the Magpies remained positive on the counter-attack and dangerous throughout.
00:05:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
The most important thing, you can sit back as long as you're dangerous on the counter-attack, and that's what Newcastle were. um The real standout moments of the second half towards the end ah were, and it's a lucky moment for Newcastle, really. The sheer stupidity of Marseille teenager Bacola, who does end up getting an assist for a goal in the second half. But he beats Fabian Scherr all ends up, and Scherr ends up on the floor um after making half a chance. He knows that if he makes contact, the young lad's going to go down. He doesn't make contact, but Kola has a chance one-on-one really with Nick Pope, and he flies to the floor, picking up a yellow card for an embarrassing dive.
00:06:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
I can't remember quite when the Olympics is, but whatever it is, he's qualified with that 10 out of 10. It was a real lack of class, really, and it it was sheer stupidity that could have cost the French side daily. He is only 17, though, so, know.
00:06:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
Young lads make stupid decisions, let's be honest. But to make matters worse, the first half ends with Marseille keeper Rulli. Bandaged as he fell to the floor like a sack potatoes. Belirdy's holding Dan Byrne. He pushes Dan Byrne into Rulli. Rulli falls to the floor. Let's be honest, that felt pretty routine. But he doesn't stop pushing Dan Byrne. Burn continues, falls, and studs go right into the back of Rulli's head. um It looks really, really sore. It was a really, really bad one for the Argentine goalkeeper. VAR looked at it and saw exactly what we saw. Not really much fault of Dan Burn there at all. And to be honest, if Rulli doesn't go down like a sack of potatoes under very very little contact...
00:07:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
He doesn't end up getting hurt. So it's kind of calmer, really. um But long story short, first half, Newcastle looked dangerous. Excellent, really, from us. and We looked really dangerous on the counter-attack. And Marseille caused themselves more problems than they caused Newcastle.
00:07:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
Now, hold on that line and think about that line while we go into our advert for this particular segment from Bionic.
00:08:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
If Marseille caused themselves more problems in the first half, Newcastle caused themselves serious problems in the second. And it began in disastrous fashion with that man again, Nick Pope, making the error that gives Marseille the equaliser. And it does have to be said... It is an excellent finish from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. But I do also want to start by saying this begins from Newcastle United's kickoff.
00:09:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
The long ball into the corner immediately gives Marseille possession. How many times have we seen that this season? It doesn't work for us. We're not joking here in Wimbledon. Let's forget about it because it's becoming really annoying and it isn't benefiting us in the slightest. But this particular instance, Marseille get possession, Bacola puts the ball in behind the fullback.
Aubameyang's Impact: Turning the Game for Marseille
00:09:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
Malik Chow has all the time in the world to um Edge out Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. No real danger whatsoever to the Newcastle goal.
00:09:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
That is until Nick Pope flies out, completely misses the ball. Aubameyang gets beyond him and credit to him, curls it beautifully into the net.
00:09:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
Great finishing, dreadful. Goalkeeping. But how many times have we heard that this season? It does have to be said, Newcastle reacted to the goal well um for a small period of time. ah Barnes had a low drive at Rooley and he also tapped in a chance at the back post. But it does have to be said, he's pretty unnecessarily offside.
00:10:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
um lot better positioning really should be had from Barnes as the ball comes across. um But he's in the position and he was the only one really from Newcastle that looked dangerous ah in the final third. And I thought he had a decent game, so credit to him.
00:10:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
and But it was Marcia that completed the turnaround five minutes later. and They had the ball on the halfway line and realistically there was no pressure being put on from Newcastle whatsoever. Marseille players could have got a manicure, a pedicure, gone for a shower, took the referee's cards, done a marathon and still had enough time to pass the ball. and It really was quite pathetic um afterwards, that press. From the high press that managed to get us
00:11:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
A brilliant start to the game to absolutely nothing, which leads to Marseille passing the ball around the back. Guia gets it on the right-hand side. He beats Livermento, all ends up, crosses the ball for Aubameyang, who gets ahead of Malik Chau after the ball goes beyond Dan Byrne, who realistically should probably be cutting that ball out, and but his positioning isn't fantastic.
00:11:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
um So that is a bit of a problem as well. But Aubameyang gets ahead of Malik Chau and flicks the ball beyond Nick Pope. It's another brilliant finish um for a striker that couldn't finish his dinner in the first half.
00:11:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
It was absolutely brilliant from the former Arsenal, Chelsea and Barcelona striker. and But it is an unacceptable unacceptable capitulation from Newcastle United. And then we saw Marseille dominate pretty much even more for the next 10 minutes. Hoiberg fired a shot straight at Pope. Marseille were pressing Newcastle higher on the ball and the Magpies just simply couldn't hand it. Greenwood was the next to fire a shot straight at Pope. But Marseille were carving Newcastle open at will at times.
00:12:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
and It led to three changes from Newcastle. ah Lewis Miley, Antony Alanga and Lewis Hall came on for Fabian Scherr. Jacob Murphy and Tino Leveramento in Newcastle moved to the traditional 4-3-3.
00:12:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
With that change, Marseille were happy after Newcastle have a little bit more on the ball, knowing how dangerous they could be on the count now. However, Newcastle lacked a presence up front and 10 minutes later Nick Valtemar was very quickly thrown on to try and save the game for Newcastle alongside Jacob Ramsey with Gordon and Willock coming off. I will say I thought Joe Willock.
00:12:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
While he was the surprising player um in the starting line-up, he did have a decent game. He's not really known for his passing, and it wasn't great today. But the efforts, the commitments, the running, ah and a lot, to be honest, the application was there. He had a really decent game. And you might be thinking, that is the bare minimum we expect in the Champions League.
00:13:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
But to be honest, i actually thought he was maybe...
Tactical Shifts: Can Newcastle Adapt?
00:13:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
He was definitely better than Bruno Gamares today, who I thought had an off game. um And to be honest, I thought he was on par with Tonali, who didn't have the but one of his best games either. But after Bruno and Tonali were absolutely incredible against Manchester City,
00:13:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
you can forgive them for having slightly off games a couple of days later. um Where credit does have to go to, it has to go to Roberto De Zerbi, who completely changed things at halftime.
00:13:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
Marseille started playing shorter passes. They pressed 10 yards higher up the pitch. Their back line was further forward. And martin Newcastle couldn't deal with it at all. The change in intensity from Marseille just completely put Newcastle on the back foot.
00:14:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
um But it does have to be said, it could it could have been very different if it wasn't for the horrific mistake from Nick Pope for the equaliser. Pope's been under a lot of pressure and I'll be honest, I can't see that easing any time soon, particularly after that error.
00:14:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
um, Newcastle's then began to create some chances. Alanga had a a decent effort, um, really pushed into the side net and I thought it hit the post at first. Um, but realistically it's one where you're expecting Alanga to put it across goal. He tries to go for the near post and it's a fairly comfortable save for, the Argentine goalkeeper.
00:14:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
Burn misconnects with a half volley pretty straight afterwards. Tonali fired an abysmal free kick. Um, into the top of the start velodrome. And then Harvey Barnes had a really good chance as well. And to be honest, the XG on it is probably 0.05 or something. But when Harvey Barnes cuts in on that right foot um and curls a shot in from long range, you do expect to see it go near the goal and that's where it was.
00:15:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
um He had a great effort, really pretty much stuck to where he was. So if it goes in, yeah well, if it's on target, it goes in, should I say. um But when Newcastle started to apply the pressure, we started to see a bit more gamesmanship from Marseille, slowing the clock down. um And you really can't blame them for that.
00:15:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
uh you know champions league game under lights high pressure for them i don't like a lot of the players that they have um personality wise and history wise um but you can't blame them for how they play today and it was enough to see marcia over the line in the end unfortunately and it does make it three games in a row now that newcastle have led away from home And lost.
00:15:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
So while this is ah probably the most acceptable defeat out of the lot performance wise, it still comes
Criticism of Nick Pope: Time for a Change?
00:16:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
as a massive disappointment. And it's also another game where Nick Pope... has ultimately cost Newcastle a result.
00:16:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah Let us know how you feel about the game. Get in touch with us on our social medias, reply in a comment to the podcast. And I'll ask the question, does Aaron Ramsdale simply have to come into the side for the fixture against Devon at the weekend after costing Newcastle United another game?
00:16:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah He's had some brilliant performances for Newcastle in his career. He's been brilliant for many years. but since the injury is just not the same. And I personally, I think Ramsdale does have to come in. But also let me know what Newcastle have to do to get a result away from home. Is it one of those where we do have to shut shut up shop?
00:16:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah Or can we go at Everton and try and get a result that way? We'll discuss all of these over the coming days. So let us know your thoughts and we'll mention them on the pod. um But this is all for the Daily Newcastle for now. It's another disappointing result for Newcastle on the road.
00:17:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
Credit has to go out of Marseille and will go again on Sunday.