Marseille defeat Athletic Club 3-1 in Stade Vélodrome pre-season friendly

Marseille beat Athletic Club 3-1 in a pre-season friendly at the Stade Vélodrome on Sunday, August 9, with first-half strikes from Angel Gomes and Igor Paixao followed by a late Tadjidine Mmadi goal.

Angel Gomes opened the scoring in the 10th minute after a move started by Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, and Igor Paixao doubled the lead before half-time; Gomes’ involvement in the victory arrives after a difficult spell under former coach Roberto De Zerbi and a loan move to Wolverhampton Wanderers in February. Paixao’s strike was his third in as many friendlies and the Brazilian has attracted transfer interest from Leeds United this summer.

Gomes’ 10th-minute opener came from a well-worked phase initiated by Hojbjerg that put the hosts in control early. Athletic Club drew level just after the half-hour mark through Oihan Sancet from a scrappy rebound. In the 40th minute Igor Paixao produced a long-range effort that flew into the bottom corner past a helpless Alex Padilla to restore Marseille’s lead.

Marseille dominated the second half and sealed the victory when Tadjidine Mmadi added a late third in the 86th minute. The win extended Marseille’s pre-season run to three consecutive victories ahead of the league campaign.

Athletic Club’s summer activity remained limited; the club’s Basque-origin recruitment policy and lack of incoming signings this window were noted, while they have let 10 players leave on loan or via permanent moves, including attacker Unai Gomez, leaving their squad light as the season approaches. The source described that policy as leaving the club at a "massive disadvantage" in the transfer market.

Marseille’s defensive record from last season was referenced in the build-up — the side conceded 45 goals in Ligue 1 last term, and only six teams had a better defensive record — and the hosts appeared defensively solid against Athletic Club while adding Timothy Weah and Facundo Medina to their ranks in the close season. Those signings were cited as further strengthening the Olympians’ back line.

Visiting head coach Edin Terzic was described as likely to be "slightly disappointed" with his team’s output in the opponent’s half; aside from Sancet’s rebound finish, Athletic Club created few clear chances and goalkeeper Jeffrey De Lange had little to deal with. The match report noted the visitors’ forwards were kept quiet for long periods.

Marseille will begin their Ligue 1 campaign on August 21 against Strasbourg.