Olympique de Marseille beats Athletic Bilbao 3-1 in pre-season friendly

Olympique de Marseille secured a 3-1 victory against Athletic Bilbao in a pre-season friendly at the Stade Vélodrome. Goals from Angel Gomes, Igor Paixão, and Tadjidine Mmadi secured the win for the French side, marking their fourth consecutive victory in preparation for the upcoming Ligue 1 season.

Despite the on-field success, manager Bruno Genesio expressed concerns regarding the club's financial situation and the transfer window. He noted that the scale of the budget constraints and the ongoing departures were more significant than initially expected, stating, “I knew it, but perhaps not to this extent.” Genesio emphasized that his staff must adapt to the squad available by September 1st.

The match was also marked by unusual security measures, as Marseille prohibited the display of Athletic Bilbao's colors—such as jerseys and scarves—to prevent potential tensions in the stands. Additionally, the match served as the first home appearance for Genesio under the stadium's new naming rights as the CEPAC Vélodrome.