Olympique Marseille - Athletic Club

Athletic Club were beaten 3-1 Olympique Marseille at the Stade Velodrome in our seventh friendly of the 2026/27 pre-season.

The French team were deserved winners on a hot and suffocating evening in Marseille.

The home side put on a lively display, capitalising on every mistake made by the Lions, and took the lead in the 10th minute.

Angel Gomes intercepted a pass high up the pitch and fired in a powerful effort from outside the box.

Athletic tried to play their way back into the match by keeping possession and stringing together some good attacking moves

This eventually led to the equaliser, just past the half-hour mark. Oihan Sancet netted from close range after pouncing on the rebound from an Iñaki Williams shot.

The goal celebrations didn’t last long, as Igor Paixão restored Marseille's lead almost immediately with another long-range effort.

The second half saw both teams ease off somewhat and adopt a more measured pace with fatigue and the stifling heat taking their toll.

Changes were made in an attempt to breathe new life into the team, but it was the Ligue 1 that struck again towards the end.

Tadjidine Mmadi slotted a low strike past Alex Padilla to score the decisive third goal.

It's a first pre-season defeat for Athletic, who wrap up their preparations against Atalanta BC at the Stadio di Bergamo on Friday August 14.