As Newcastle United prepare for a tough test in the Champions League tonight, they may be pleased to hear that one Marseille player appreciates how big the club is.
Eddie Howe and his players go into the game at the Stade Velodrome filled with confidence from the win over Man City at the weekend.
It will be an entirely different kind of test this evening, though, with the French crowd set to produce a daunting atmosphere and put the frighteners on Newcastle.
Prediction for Marseille vs Newcastle United?
We’ll be watching Newcastle vs Marseille with anticipation, curiosity, and a little bit of trepidation, given the away form for the Magpies this season.
Beating Marseille will keep Newcastle in contention for a top eight spot and automatic qualification for the next round. Defeat, however, could make the next run of games in the Champions League even more tricky for Howe.
Angel Gomes appreciates Newcastle United
Off the pitch, things have already been kicking off between Marseille and Newcastle, with fans clashing in the streets overnight.
However, the players seem to be in good spirits and Angel Gomes of Marseille has even paid special respect to the Magpies in an interview with Le Phoceen.
Gomes said: “It’s a special club in England, with a large fan base. St James’ Park is a very nice place to play. In the last two years, they’ve taken another step forward, a new stage. The team is really very strong now. What they’ve built is impressive. I think the last few years have been excellent for Newcastle.”
He has clearly been watching his next opponents in action ahead of the game, too, as Gomes commented on the strengths the Newcastle squad possess.
“Newcastle are a very strong team physically. We face this type of team in Ligue 1 as well, but they have a lot of quality. I know many of the players, I’ve played with and against several of them, so I know it’s difficult,” he added. “But as I said, the Velodrome is a special place, and in the Champions League it’s even more special. So we’ll see how the match goes.”
Newcastle have to be ruthless on the road in Champions League
So far this season, Newcastle have won just one game on their travels. Ironically, that came in the Champions League, with a 4-0 crushing of Union St. Gilloise, and they’ll need that same level of ruthlessness again tonight.
Those miserable defeats against Brentford and West Ham came away from home, and frankly, Newcastle looked toothless and timid in those games. They cannot afford that in Marseille.
Who remembers the last time Newcastle United played Marseille?
Newcastle were utterly dominated by Marseille when they travelled to France back in 2004, largely thanks to a Didier Drogba masterclass.
While Angel Gomes may be going into this game with a level of respect for his opponents, Newcastle’s players must embrace the cauldron that is the Velodrome and leave Marseille feeling miserable by the end of the game.
We’ve not really seen the passion and fight we expect from Newcastle yet this season, apart from on Champions League nights. Now, that glimpse of promise has to become a regular feature for Eddie Howe’s team.
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