Become a Creator today!Start creating today - Share your story with the world!
Start for free
00:00:00
00:00:01
Inside De Zerbi’s Marseille: Newcastle’s Vélodrome Test
9 Plays8 days ago
Newcastle head to the Stade Vélodrome for a Champions League showdown with one of Europe’s most intriguing sides: Roberto De Zerbi’s high-risk, high-reward Marseille.
We break down where OM stand in Ligue 1, why they’ve been so dangerous at home, the tactical patterns that define their play, and the key battles that could decide the game. Plus: essential travel and safety info for fans making the trip.
The noise, the intensity, the football—this one has all the ingredients of a classic European night.
Recommended
Transcript
Preview of Newcastle vs Marseille: The Challenge Ahead
00:00:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
Welcome back to the Daily Newcastle. Today we're going to be looking ahead at Newcastle United's trip to the Stad Velodrome and the opposition waiting for them. in the form of Roberto De Zerbi's Olympique de Marseille.
00:00:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
Now, while well into the 2025-26 season, League One has taken shape and the new Champions League, League phase is in full swing. And Marseille and De Zerbi are no longer a theoretical project.
00:00:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
They are a very real, very dangerous football team. Let's break down what Newcastle can expect on November 25th, both on the pitch and And for those travelling, offer as well.
00:00:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah First, the big picture. As of Marseille in early November, they sit second in Ligue 1, 12 games played, 8 wins, 1 draw and 3 defeats. 28 goals scored, 11 conceded. twenty eight goals scored eleven conceded 17 plus goal difference, mightily impressive and at home they have been ruthless. 28 goals scored, 21 of those were at the Stade Velodrome and they've conceded just 6 goals at home this season.
00:01:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
But in Europe it is a little bit more complicated.
Marseille's Mixed Performance in Champions League
00:01:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
In the Champions League, Marseille have played for And won just one. Losing the other three. They've scored six goals. And conceded five.
00:01:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
The results. They do tell a story. A narrow 2-1 defeat away to Real Madrid. Where they were really unlucky to lose that. A big 4-0 win at home to Ajax. Who aren't the opposition that.
00:01:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
Everyone might think they are because of their reputation. And then two narrow defeats. Another 2-1 loss away. This one to Sporting Lisbon. And and recent most recently, 1-0 home defeat to Atlanta.
00:02:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
Which Newcastle fans will be looking at and thinking, they can do that, why can't we? Now, Marseille are competitive, but they are inconsistent in Europe.
00:02:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
They're dangerous, but not yet clinical at this level. But for Newcastle, it means just one thing.
Newcastle's Domestic vs European Consistency
00:02:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
You're facing a side that is flying domestically and absolutely desperate to put itself back on the European map.
00:02:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah ah They're almost doing the the opposite of Newcastle United actually. were who Newcastle have struggled in the league so far this season but in the Champions League have been a different story. Consistent and grinding out wins.
00:02:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
um But for Marseille, let's talk personnel. This is De Zerbe's Marseille 2.0 and the squad has been reshaped pretty heavily since his first season.
Key Players in Marseille's Line-Up
00:03:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
With the spine, you've got ah Geronimo Rulli, who has firmly established himself as number one. He's crucial ah for them in regards to build-up play.
00:03:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
Having a goalkeeper that can't just spread the ball anywhere is absolutely essential when you're a ball-playing side like Marseille. And he's absolutely fantastic. But then at the back, you've got a mix of ballplayers and a few warriors in there as well.
00:03:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
um The captain, Leonardo Ballerdi, Newcastle fans will be aware of because we were linked with him in the summer. But there's also Benjamin Pavard, who many might remember from that brilliant World Cup goal against Argentina for France.
00:03:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
He's on loan from Inter Milan. And Naif Agard, from who was recently signed from West Ham United, didn't quite do it in the Premier League. Part of the Morocco side, which was absolutely brilliant ah in recent tournaments, and is definitely a very different player to one we might be aware of from his time in the Premier League.
00:04:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
But they also have options such as CJ Egan-Riley, who signed from Burnley, Facundo Medina, Emerson Palomari, and Michael Murillo. So no matter who they play,
00:04:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
There's quality there. But that is a back line designed to not just defend, but to play as well. And to give them a little bit of oomph, let's say, in midfield, they signed Pierre-Emil Hoiberg from Spurs.
00:04:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
£20 million, and he's every bit the metronome that De Zerbe has been crying out for in midfield. With a creative... Spark of Angel Gomez signed on a free from Lille.
00:04:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
That one went under the radar. um And then the others that joined, well, could potentially join those two in midfield. Matt O'Reilly signed from Brighton.
00:05:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
Looked absolutely brilliant and bright in Brighton colours when he did play, but obviously picked up that really, really bad injury in his debut and maybe just hasn't had the game time to really...
00:05:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
demonstrate his skills since uh and there's also arta vermiran who let's be honest these players are giving the depth and intelligence to that marseille midfield they give a lot of options and they can help decide between whether they want to play that double pivot or they want to give more advanced roles to that midfield um and the attack is pretty much where it gets just a little bit spicy little bit hot um
00:05:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
I don't know really where to start with Mason Greenwood.
Marseille's Attacking Threats
00:05:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
um I don't like him. You don't like him. But he is the headline act for Marseille. um Eight goals in League One.
00:05:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
Nine in all competitions. Top goal scorer. Primary attacking threat. um No, don't make a joke, Michael. But Ego Paxo is the the the one that's really stood out for me this year. I'm going to talk about Greenwood as little as what I can.
00:06:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
for obvious reasons. um But Igor Paxor is the big 35 million winger from Feyenoord. ah He's picked up four goals so far and three and free in the Champions League.
00:06:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
um id look If you're a Newcastle fan that isn't aware of him, he's direct, he's quick, he's very willing to run at defenders. And just look at a few of Marseille's games in the Champions League because there's one goal in particular that's just... you know I won't spoil it, but it'll take your breath away.
00:06:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
What a strike that one is. And then the striker who will likely play up front is one that Newcastle fans will be all too familiar with. From his stint in the Premier League, he's back in Europe after a stint in Saudi, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
00:07:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
Five goals already for Marseille. He is still lethal when the ball is in the box. And no doubt there'll be articles about that one time that he played at Grunzel Park against Heaton-Stannington.
00:07:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
Because every time he comes up, that seems to be point of call. But that's not all they have. They've got Rubinho Vaz, who's quietly been productive with four goals. And Timothy Weir, who's been loaned from Juventus.
00:07:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
And adds pace and versatility into that forward line. And, oh well, there's also another player. I mean, Guayori's still there too. And although he's not starting every game, he can operate centrally or on the left.
00:07:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
And he's quite a clinical player. He's quite a very, very dangerous player. The headline is going to be Newcastle United's full backs.
Defensive Challenges for Newcastle
00:07:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
It is going to be Greenwood and Paxow.
00:07:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
And where whoever they're up against, whether it's Lewis Hall and Tino Livermendo or Dan Byrne and Kieran Trippier or a mix of those two. If it's the former, Newcastle could be in a good position. If it's the latter, Newcastle.
00:08:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm personally pretty scared as a Newcastle fan. um And I'm also very scared to what Joe Linton's going to be like on the pitch because I've got a feeling in my goal Tyrone Mings on a certain former England.
00:08:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, that's his. player um But yes, back to Marseille and De Zerbe. De Zerbe has pretty much played the same style of football at Brighton to now he does at Marseille.
00:08:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
Not a lot changes in the philosophy, but has been tweaked and redefined. On paper, Marseille line up in the 4-2-3-1, melts and reforms depending on the phase of play.
00:08:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
The build-up is sort of how the bait player split bitit teams in create the space towards the back so the wingers can push forward. Rulli, Pavard, Balerdi will circulate the ball deep, invite the press.
00:08:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
They'll go into Heuberg, he'll drop and offer a little bit of an outlet. And then once the press is broken, they'll explode forward with the wingers. And Aubameyang, who obviously is well-known for being one of the fastest players in the world in his peak.
00:09:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
Not sure how fast he is now, but I can't imagine he's as slow as our centre-backs. Well, actually, maybe not Malik Chow. Pavard will often step into midfield with the ball. Emerson will tuck in on the left to create a temporary back three. Um...
00:09:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
And the other full-back will push high and wide, basically stretching the pitch as much as what they can. And then you see the front four, Paxau, Greenwood, Giorgio O'Reilly, and then Angel Gomez as well.
00:09:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
Gomez and Hoiberg, they'll create a double pivot. O'Reilly will step in there as well if where he needs to. um And then you've got the two wingers. One will provide width. One will come inside.
00:09:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
And then whoever leads the line, likely Aubameyang, will push off and try and get him behind the last defender. Greenwood, he rarely hugs the touchline.
00:10:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
He will behave as that second striker, cutting inside as much as he can onto his stronger foot. He'll look to combine and shoot. and The full-back outside him is pretty much there to provide width and drag defenders away to give him more time on the ball.
00:10:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
While Paxau, he will stay a little bit wider. He'll stretch that left flank and force the opposition wing-back or full-back. um In this case, let's hope it's Tino Liveramento in his back.
00:10:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
Looks more likely that he'll be Kieran Trippier. um they'll pretty much stay as a fullback just simply because of the dangers that he provides. um But moving on, there are three things that really Newcastle do need to be ready for.
00:10:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
The first is the intensity of the Stade Velodrome. Some Newcastle fans will remember it from European adventures past. And then some might be experiencing it for the first time.
00:11:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
But Marseille at home this season... They've won 6-2 versus Le Hava, 5-2 versus Paris FC, 4-0 versus 3-0 versus Stade Brass, and a 1-0 win over Paris Saint-Germain.
00:11:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
Now, they're not a team that looks to win 1-0, but if they need to, they will. They score heavily, and they do it with style. It's not a team that's just going to scrape a victory. They're to overwhelm you, and they're going to make you look silly.
00:11:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
The second is their attacking variety. It's not just stop Mason Greenwood and you stop Marseille. He might provide a lot of shots and a lot of goals, but Paxao brings such a direct dribbling threat, runs in behind and has a fantastic shot on him as well. £35 million might look to be a bit of a bargain for him.
00:11:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
Aubameyang, old school poacher now, he can attack the boat box and have a bit of space and then obviously you've got the midfield of what will likely be O'Reilly, Gomez and Hoiberg can control the tempo and pick passes and then obviously as I mentioned what the full back one of the full backs will contribute with width the other will create that front three ah back three sorry And they'll hurt us with the long switches to the wingers from those three centre-backs, the underlaping midfielders.
00:12:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
And it's going to be a really, really tricky one for Newcastle tactically. But I do think it's one that Eddie Howell will be prepared for. And Newcastle might, just might, be able to match Marseille even on their own home turf.
00:12:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, despite the losses recently. And away from home, we do have shock and form. But... Believe, because in the Champions League, they've been pretty decent. um But the Marseille also bring a lot of confidence from League One. They're sitting second in the league.
00:12:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
They aren't playing like underdogs domestically. They aren't playing like underdogs in the Champions League. They're playing at a team that believes it should be at the top. And Newcastle aren't just facing a tricky away night.
00:13:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
They're facing a side that fully believes it should be in the Champions League knockout rounds. in one that could easily knock Newcastle out in a knockout round going forward. like um Where can Newcastle hurt Marseille is probably the next bit.
Strategies: Countering Marseille's High Line
00:13:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
um As with all Roberto De Zerbi teams, they're not impossible to beat.
00:13:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
They live on the high wire. They live risky. They live dangerous. They have that high line. They push up as a unit. The defensive line sits pretty close the halfway line. and If they lose the ball...
00:13:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
in Newcastle counter-press perfectly. There's suddenly 30, 40 yards of grass between it behind the back line where the legs of Anthony Alanga and Anthony Gordon can push forward.
00:13:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
You already saw that with Kylian Mbappe at Real Madrid and Sport and Lisbon managed it pretty well as well. At Atlanta, they weren't even at their best really when they managed a 1-0 win at the Velodrome and they were just brutally direct when chances appeared and it did work. So it's clear that Marseille struggle with our direct runs in behind, and which Newcastle will need to do and we have done For bits of this season. um Quick combinations after regaining the ball.
00:14:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
Could really expose Marseille's structure. We got it right once against Brentford. And it led to the goal from Barnes. And players like Gordon or Barnes. Depending on which one of them starts. Alanga on the other side.
00:14:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hopefully Johan Wisser. Could really have some attacking joy. ah In Marseille. And then again. it's one of those where the transition is going to be vitally important for Newcastle.
00:14:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
When Pavard steps up, Emerson tucks in, there's going to be gaps out wide. And if Newcastle can force a turnover and play it out wide quickly, then that beautifully orchestrated shape of Marseille could turn into chaos very, very quickly.
00:15:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
And then just to finish up, obviously there has been a note sent out for travelling supporters for Newcastle.
Travel Advice for Newcastle Fans
00:15:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
If you're actually traveling to Marseille, there are very, very serious safety and logistic notes you need to be aware of. and Key points that were in the the press release from Newcastle was avoid the old port area during in your stay.
00:15:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
French police have strongly advised against staying in that area, um or at least if you do, do not wear any club colours or anything that identifies you as a Newcastle fan in the city before the organised meet.
00:15:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
um Don't hang flags or banners around Marseille like we do everywhere else. Newcastle might be ah really, really safe place for away fans, but Marseille isn't one of them.
00:15:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
um And ah the final one is was if you don't have a valid ma match ticket, this isn't Leverkusen, they're not going to welcome you with open arms. Do not travel. And on the match day itself, there's a fan meet-up point in Palais de la Jolette, and you can gather there from 11am on the day of the game.
00:16:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
But just take the organised police-escorted metro service. um mid to First departure scheduled for mid-late afternoon. You're expected travel by that route. There's no independent route to the stadium.
00:16:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
um The police are going to be pretty brutal with Newcastle fans. If you're going, ah expect it to be rough. um ah hope that everyone going on the Newcastle side has an absolutely fantastic journey and nothing bad happens.
00:16:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
But we've seen what happens in France. We've seen what happens in Marseille. um So prayers will be out for everyone. Hopefully, yeah the fan presence out there with it being a midweek game is a bit...
00:16:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah it's a bit nicer. We can't expect it. It's going to be a hellish atmosphere. Hopefully after the game, we see a bit more you know unity. Newcastle fans, we can be absolutely fantastic on the road, but there are a few idiots in there who will try and spark stuff.
00:17:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
um It happens at every club. But just remember as well, anyone deemed too drunk will be refused entry into the game. um But to finish up, Follow the club instructions.
00:17:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
Don't take unnecessary risks because Marseille away is not the standard European jolly. um And for Newcastle, for the team on the pitch, they're facing a red-hot team in League One.
Expectations for the Match
00:17:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
Unstable, but dangerous in Europe. Technically excellent. um And to be honest, I think we all expect a tough, tough game for Newcastle in Marseille. But it has all the ingredients of a beautiful, classic European night.
00:17:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
Tension, risk, tactical intrigue, and hopefully goals. But that's your midweek mid-season pre profile of Deserby's Marseille ahead Newcastle's trip to the velodrome.
00:18:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
If you found this useful, hit follow, share it with a mate heading to Marseille, keep an eye out for our pros match, breakdowns and our pre-match match previews where you'll see just how much of this deservedly blueprint actually translated onto the prick pitch.
00:18:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
Thanks for listening. Enjoy the game. I'm going to go sort my voice out because I can't get a single word out now. But for now, see a bit.