Albion have been urged to embrace the bedlam of Stade Velodrome as they face a “unique” test in Europe.

The Seagulls visit Olympique Marseille on Thursday in their second Europa League fixture.

They aim to bounce back from an opening 3-2 defeat at home to AEK Athens while Marseille have one Group B point but have lost their last two domestic league games, at PSG and Monaco.

The match will be Gennaro Gattuso’s home debut as OM head coach and former Albion skipper Adam Virgo has warned Albion will face an atmosphere the like of which they do not come across in the Premier League.

Virgo, who covers European games for TNT Sports, said: “What Brighton won’t be used to is the atmosphere of the Velodrome. It is an atmosphere like no other.

“I know the players play in the Premier League but, with the Marseille fans, you have to look at Galatasaray, you probably look at some of the South American teams in terms of intensity.

“I did a game there against Galatasaray and it was absolute bedlam.

“It wasn’t comfortable at all. The game had to be stopped for 20 minutes.

“The best thing Brighton can do is get this early goal because they can turn on their players very quickly. On the other side of it, at home Marseille are a formidable side.

“This is going to be a tough game for Brighton.

“You can go into the stadium and you have never heard noise like it.


Brian Owen is reporting from Marseille. To support his journalism and have access to all of his stories, subscribe to The Argus here

“It’s so loud, so unique and that is what the Brighton fans will come across. You don’t get that atmosphere in England.”

Albion have issued a list of rules and guidelines for their travelling support to help ensure the trip goes off smoothly.

Virgo said: “Marseille is a beautiful city. I hope everything goes off fine and Brighton fans can enjoy going to one of the best European stadiums.”