Newcastle face different kind of test in hostile Marseille

Newcastle United arrive in Marseille in a buoyant mood after stitching together their best run of the season and producing a statement win over Manchester City that has transformed their confidence and tightened their grip on qualification in the Champions League.

Eddie Howe’s side have taken maximum points since their opening defeat to Barcelona and have not conceded a goal in Europe during that stretch, a turnaround that has reshaped their campaign after an uncertain start.

Their 2-1 win against Manchester City at the weekend only strengthened the feeling that Newcastle have rediscovered the intensity and edge that defined their rise under Howe.

They pressed aggressively, defended with conviction and showed a resilience that had been missing earlier in the season, and the result brought a level of momentum that is difficult to manufacture in the middle of a congested schedule.

Their European form has mirrored that progress, with victories over Union SG, Benfica and Athletic Bilbao providing both control and consistency.

This trip to Marseille, however, represents a different type of examination for a team still growing into Champions League life. Newcastle may be operating at a higher level than at any stage this season, but they are also navigating a competition in which their pedigree is still relatively modest.

They have carried out their work efficiently so far, and they should have too much for a Marseille side that have failed to find any rhythm in Europe and have spent most of the league phase fighting to stay in contention.

Marseille’s continental form has been miserable, marked by late collapses, narrow defeats and a lack of cutting edge in matches where small moments have defined the outcome.

They have been beaten by Sporting Lisbon, Real Madrid and Atalanta BC, and those results have left them with ground to make up and little margin for error against one of the form teams of the competition.

Their domestic story is very different, and that contrast gives this fixture an element of uncertainty.

Marseille have looked sharper and more ambitious in Ligue 1, scoring freely and finding fluency in the final third, and that improvement should give them belief that they can unsettle a Newcastle side still adjusting to the demands of European away fixtures.

Roberto De Zerbi’s team have the energy and aggression to make this a difficult evening if Newcastle approach the match with any degree of complacency.

Even so, Newcastle’s form since the Barcelona loss suggests they have turned a corner and are now playing with the conviction of a team that expects to impose themselves in any environment.

This match should underline whether their resurgence has genuine durability or whether the difficulties of Europe, and the threat of a motivated Marseille side, can disrupt the rhythm they have worked hard to establish.