PLAYER RATINGS | Marseille 2-1 Newcastle: Quick-fire Aubameyang brace secures crucial comeback win for De Zerbi’s men | OneFootball

UEFA Champions League Matchday 5, 25/11/2025Olympique de Marseille seal a vital win over Premier League side Newcastle United at the Stade Vélodrome thanks to a brace scored by veteran Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (36) scored within minutes to seal a comeback victory over the Magpies. Harvey Barnes opened the scoring early on, as the away side managed a first half off the ball to a tee. But Aubameyang’s brace turned around the situation in the second period, and De Zerbi’s men held onto a precious three points which keep OM’s qualifcation chances alive.THE MATCH

Roberto De Zerbi’s side had a far from ideal, and even a sloppy opening six minutes where it seemed nothing would go quite the way it was expected. A header from Malick Thiaw would need an intervention off the line from Pierre-Emile Højbjerg, before a string of errors would see OM concede the opening goal. A cross from the left was half-cleared by Balerdi after Gordon’s initial attempt at goal, only to fall at the feet of Harvey Barnes a metre to the left of the penalty spot – the Englishman controlled and his strike easily beat Rulli to open the scoring for the Magpies. OM looked to respond, and Pierre-Emerick Aubakeyang had a snapshot at goal saved by Nick Pope from close range, before the Englishman was second to his attempted volley only seconds later.

Settling on the ball, Les Phocéens had to deal with Newcastle dropping deep to defend their lead. Errors aplenty in possesion, the visitors smartly alternated their positions of the ball and chose the right moments to disrupt the hosts. Marseille were nervous, and it seemed at times that only a combination of Timothy Weah and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang could salvage any semblance of attacking integrity. The Gabon striker had several more chances, but was well seen off by Botman and Thiaw, who looked to drag the OM forward down in the box. 

But Newcastle posed more danger on the counter-attack, as Geronimo Rulli had to be alert with a fantastic stop to deny Anthony Gordon. The Englishman had another chance to double the Magpies’ lead but Geronimo Rulli just about managed to get to the ball. But Les Phocéens would begin the second half with a quickfire goal from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, as Darryl Bakola played a weighted through ball to the Gabon striker, who rounded Nick Pope and slotted home. The former Premier League hitman struck again only minutes later, getting a run on Sven Botman and flicking home Timothy Weah’s low cross at the front post. A renewed OM now looked to control proceedings, but Newcastle were pressing to get an all-important equaliser. Anthony Elanga would strike wide of the post, and the English side would throw everything in set-peices and long-ball’s in the final stages. But the Vélodrome would roar at the final whistle, as OM picked up a precious three points which keep their qualifcation chances in the UCL alive.

OLYMPIQUE DE MARSEILLE PLAYER RATINGS

Geronimo Rulli – 6 The Argentine had to battle, but he was decisive in saving Anthony Gordon’s effort just before the half-time: a major moment which would have hampered OM’s ability to get back into the game so quickly in the second period. He made another key save as Joe Willock struck from close range in the box, and from a difficult angle. In total it would be X saves for Rulli, who also was brave defending from set pieces (albeit dropping the ball on one occasion.) 

Timothy Weah – 6

Was one of the only OM players that came out of the first period with any credit, finding some space down the right side and combining well with Aubameyang. It was a sign of things to come in the second period, as he would eventually find the assist for Aubameyang’s flicked finish at the near post to put Marseille.

Benjamin Pavard – 4

Leonardo Balerdi – 4

Silly challenge in the opening minutes on Willock, and hardly assured in the opening minutes, panicking on the ball and giving in to Newcastle’s high press when he played straight to Tonali. But there were signs of assurance in the second period, as OM ultimately staved off the Geordie threat in the final minutes. 

Emerson Palmieri – 5

Pierre-Emile Højbjerg – 5

Arthur Vermeeren – 3

Mason Greenwood – 5

Darryl Bakola – 3

A painful first half for the 17 year-old, who was the surprise inclusion from Roberto De Zerbi against the Premier League side. The youngster looked like a fish out of water, positionally confused in the opening minutes, before panicking on the ball and giving away possession too easily. His blatant dive in the 36th minute summed up a desperate performance, but he did provide a through ball for Aubameyang’s equaliser – which was mostly caused by Nick Pope’s positioning. He was logically hauled off on the hour mark for Matt O’Riley. 

Igor Paixao – 4

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – 7

When Marseille needed him most, the 36 year-old came up trumps. He was one of OM’s only bright performers in the first period along with Timothy Weah, after scoring his 400th career goal already in OM’s away trip to OGC Nice several days ago. He arguably should have connected with a header to level proceedings and was denied well by Pope with a volley in the first period, but the Gabon striker would grab a quickfire equaliser just as the second period began. He latched onto Bakola’s throughball, and saw Nick Pope come off his line before rounding the Newcastle keeper and slotting into the back of the net. Only minutes later, Timothy Weah found him at the near post and he simply flicked home. 

SELECTED NEWCASTLE UNITED PLAYER RATINGS

Harvey Barnes – 6 Nick Pope – 3GFFN | George Boxall & Luke Entwistle – Reporting from Stade Vélodrome, Marseille