Doubts were allowed before this meeting in Montpellier. Having not won in Ligue 1 since their miraculous success in Lyon in September (2-3), OM had to reassure this Sunday in Hérault. Especially after a defeat in Strasbourg (1-0) and a draw against Angers at the Vélodrome (1-1), the Phocaeans had to get their heads right so as not to already bury their title hopes. To do this, we had to win, and in style if possible, this Sunday evening against Montpellier. Especially one week before the long-awaited Classic against PSG. And with a collective strength rarely displayed this season, Marseille fulfilled its mission brilliantly on the Mosson pitch.
Faced with a disastrous Montpellier team, OM easily returned to victory (0-5) and several individuals recovered at the best of times. Scorer after a minute, Elye Wahi, back on the grounds of his first club, surely had his best match when Mason Greenwood was decisive on two occasions (1 goal, 1 assist), by not forcing his talent. In the middle, the Højbjerg-Rabiot tandem showed that the Olympians could count on two world-class players. A grandiose performance which allowed the Marseillais to puff out their chests and calmly prepare for next Sunday’s Classic.
OM meets PSG
Showing only three points behind their next opponents, the Marseillais already know that this match will be crucial. At the post-match press conference, all eyes were focused on this summit clash which awaits next Sunday at the Vélodrome. Already the scorer of six goals this season in Ligue 1, Mason Greenwood is excited at the idea of playing in his first Classic: “I hope it will be a very exciting match and that we can win. We will work hard all week and we will see what happens next week.» For his part, Amine Harit, also a scorer this Sunday, insisted, after the match, on the importance of resting well before such a meeting: “of course, we’re going to rest. We will take care of the legs and heads, and we will attack the match as it should. There is no worry about this. What if we started talking about it? No not yet.»
And finally, there is Roberto de Zerbi. A great professional, the Italian coach is convincing for his debut on the Canebière. And a week before his biggest challenge as OM coach so far, the former Brighton technician affirmed that he would look to beat PSG next Sunday: “It was a well-played match, won. Now, we will prepare to meet the reigning champion, respecting them, knowing who we are, where we come from and everything we need to improve to reach their level. We will prepare to win the match, like everyone else.» And while PSG won comfortably on Saturday evening at the Parc des Princes against Strasbourg (4-2), everything indicates that a big party is being prepared next Sunday on the lawn of the Vélodrome.
