Marseille extend losing streak to four with heavy Europa League loss in Turkey
The French club’s 4-1 defeat to Besiktas marks their fourth consecutive loss across all competitions, complicating their preparation for the upcoming league fixture against Paris Saint-Germain.
Olympique de Marseille returned from Turkey with a significant setback in their European campaign, suffering a 4-1 defeat to Besiktas in the opening round of the Europa League. The result, reported by France 24 International, extends the French side’s run of consecutive losses to four across all competitions, raising questions about their current form ahead of a demanding domestic schedule.
The defeat in Istanbul leaves Marseille with little time to regroup before they turn their attention to domestic football. The club is now preparing for Sunday’s “Classique,” a high-stakes league encounter against Paris Saint-Germain at the Vélodrome. With the streak of defeats continuing, the managerial and tactical adjustments required for the upcoming fixture are likely to be scrutinised closely by supporters and analysts alike.
Elsewhere in the Europa League, several other clubs secured comfortable victories in their opening matches. Juventus began their European campaign with a 5-0 win over N.E.C. Nijmegen, with Randal Kolo Muani contributing a goal and an assist. Crystal Palace also performed strongly, defeating Lech Poznan 4-0, while Bournemouth recorded a 2-1 win at Real Sociedad.
The competition also featured a notable upset as Portuguese second-tier side Torreense won 2-1 at Lillestrom. In other results, Celtic fell 3-1 to Ferencvaros, and Union Saint-Gilloise secured a 3-0 victory over Plzen. These varied outcomes underscore the unpredictability of the early European fixtures.
In domestic cup competition, Manchester City demonstrated their continued dominance by beating Norwich 5-0 in the League Cup. The much-changed City side saw Rayan Cherki score, while 17-year-old Floyd Samba netted twice. Under manager Enzo Maresca, Manchester City have now won all six matches this season, highlighting a stark contrast in momentum compared to their European counterparts.
The broader sporting landscape also saw developments in African football and tennis. In Algeria, Brahim Hemdani named a 26-man squad for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, while Morocco head coach Mohamed Ouahbi selected 29 players. Additionally, it was confirmed that the next two editions of the individual Table Tennis World Cup will be held in Montpellier in 2027 and Paris in 2028.
