Atletico Madrid came from behind to beat Marseille 2-1 in a pre-season friendly at the Orange Velodrome on Friday, with Carlos Martin scoring the winning goal 12 minutes from time.
Marseille took the lead in the 22nd minute when Igor Paixao found the net, but Atletico responded before the interval. Rodrigo Mendoza restored parity in the 39th minute, finishing into the bottom-left corner after being set up by Ademola Lookman.
The Spanish side then completed the turnaround in the closing stages. Carlos Martin scored from close range in the 78th minute, with substitute Arnau Ortiz supplying the assist to secure victory for Atletico.
Marseille had made the stronger start and were rewarded when Paixao opened the scoring. Atletico had opportunities to respond before Mendoza’s equaliser, including a blocked effort from Lookman, although the forward was also caught offside during the match.
Atletico began with Jan Oblak in goal, behind a defence featuring Jorge Dominguez, Robin Le Normand and David Hancko. Alejandro Grimaldo was also included in the starting line-up, alongside midfielders Giuliano Simeone, Koke, Johnny Cardoso and Pablo Barrios.
Lee Kang-In and Lookman completed the initial attacking group. Grimaldo, Mendoza and Carlos Martin were all introduced or withdrawn during the first half as Atletico adjusted their line-up. Ortiz came on at the start of the second half and later played a decisive role by providing the final pass for Martin’s winner.
Atletico used a wide selection of players during the game. Dani Martinez, Obed Vargas, Morten Hjulmand, Marc Pubill, Jose Maria Gimenez, Javier Bonar and Jorge Castillo also featured.
Marseille continued to search for an equaliser after Martin put Atletico ahead. Oblak was required to make second-half saves from Amine Gouiri and Timothy Weah, helping his side preserve their advantage at the Orange Velodrome.
The match also saw five players booked. Marseille’s Geoffrey Kondogbia, Leonardo Balerdi and Paixao received yellow cards, while Atletico defenders Le Normand and Simeone were also cautioned.
Despite Marseille’s late pressure, Atletico held on to begin their pre-season with a comeback win. Mendoza’s first-half finish had brought the visitors level, before Martin’s close-range strike gave them the decisive goal in the 78th minute.
