UPDATE: Newcastle United’s Champions League aspirations took a devastating hit as they lost 2-1 to Marseille at the Stade Velodrome on October 24, 2023. The Magpies were leading 1-0, but a critical lapse just after halftime allowed Marseille to turn the game around in a mere 15 minutes.
Newcastle’s goalkeeper Nick Pope made a costly error, gifting Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang an equalizer just seconds into the second half. The 36-year-old striker later scored the decisive goal, marking his second of the night and solidifying a crucial win for the French side, who are now bolstered in their qualification hopes.
“Definitely frustrating… it’s definitely disappointing to come to a team like this and a stadium like this,” said Burn, reflecting on the loss.
Newcastle’s head coach Eddie Howe echoed Burn’s sentiments, stating, “The start of the second half obviously was a big one for us. I thought we handled the atmosphere really well in the first half, but we let it slip.” The Magpies had hoped to secure their second away win of the season after Harvey Barnes opened the scoring in the sixth minute.
Howe highlighted the importance of maintaining focus, adding, “The goal straight away near enough after half-time changes the whole feeling around the stadium and the game itself.” This critical moment shifted momentum towards Marseille and left Newcastle scrambling for solutions.
Aubameyang, who celebrated his 400th career goal just days earlier, was buoyant after the match. “It was very, very important, especially at home for the fans and for us. If we want to go through, obviously we need to win games,” he stated, emphasizing the significance of the victory for Marseille.
Newcastle’s defeat marks a significant blow to their Champions League campaign, and the players will need to regroup quickly as they face crucial matches ahead. With the pressure mounting, every point is vital, and the team must learn from this lapse to stay competitive in the group stage.
Fans and analysts alike are left wondering how Newcastle will respond after such a painful defeat. As the team prepares for their next challenge, all eyes will be on their ability to bounce back and regain their footing in the tournament.
