Marseille overpower Athletic Club in pre-season friendly

Marseille rounded off their pre-season preparations in style with a convincing 3-1 win over Athletic Club in an international club friendly on August 9, 2026. The match, played in front of a partisan crowd, gave both sides valuable minutes as they fine-tuned their squads ahead of the new campaign.

Marseille hit the ground running

The French side started with real intensity, showing the sharpness that comes from a full pre-season schedule. Marseille’s midfield controlled the contest early, and their opening goal arrived through a slick passing move that sliced through the Athletic defence. The home side then doubled their advantage before the break, converting from a set piece to take a comfortable lead into half-time.

Athletic Club, as expected from a side coached with the club’s traditional intensity, responded well after the interval. They pulled a goal back within ten minutes of the restart, setting up a potentially tense final half-hour. The Basque visitors pushed hard for an equaliser, but Marseille regained their composure and sealed the match with a third goal after exploiting space on the counter-attack.

Tactical observations

For Marseille, the friendly offered a chance to test their pressing shape and rotation in attack. The team looked fluid in possession and dangerous from wide areas, while the midfield trio provided a solid platform throughout. Their defensive organisation did come under pressure at times, particularly in the period after Athletic’s goal, but they responded well to the test.

Athletic Club will take encouragement from their second-half display. Their willingness to compete and their physical approach caused Marseille problems, and they created several promising situations in the final third. The result may not have gone their way, but the performance provided useful data for the coaching staff.

Performance highlights

• Efficient finishing: Marseille showed a clinical edge, scoring three goals from a limited number of clear chances.
• Press resistance: Marseille handled Athletic Club's high press with composed build-up play.
• Second-half response: Athletic Club’s improved display after the break contested the match for long spells.

Looking ahead to the season

For Marseille, this 3-1 victory concludes a productive friendly programme and sets a positive tone ahead of the competitive season. Athletic Club will also feel reasonably prepared, with the match offering important minutes for younger players and key regulars alike. Friendly results can be misleading, but both sides will have learned plenty from a competitive encounter.