Ligue 1 2024/25, Matchday 9 – 27/10/2024
There had been few times in the last decade or so in which a Classique clash held this much weight, even early on in the campaign. A depleted and off-colour Paris Saint-Germain went into Sunday’s headline fixture as league leaders, but with Roberto De Zerbi’s reinvigorated Marseille side just three points adrift.
Off-pitch controversy dominated the build-up to the match, as homophobic chanting from both sets of fans came under increased public and political criticism. Marseille fans defied the recent announcements from the government by launching into the chants, inside and outside the stadium, in the build-up to Sunday’s fixture.
The Vélodrome was quickly silenced once the match kicked off, though. Five minutes into the game, Nuno Mendes was found down the left wing and sent in a low ball across the box, which Gerónimo Rulli could only parry into the feet of João Neves for an open-goal finish. Having already endeared himself to the PSG faithful with six assists since arriving from Benfica, the Portuguese midfielder could not have picked a better match to score his first goal for the club.
With the visitors already dominating proceedings, Marseille complicated matters further for themselves when Amine Harit was sent off for a high challenge on Marquinhos in the middle of the pitch. The Moroccan would argue that he could not see the Brazilian arriving from behind – in any case, François Letexier’s decision would prove the turning point that blunted Marseille’s hopes of a comeback.
It would not take long for Luis Enrique’s men to capitalise – this time in slightly more improbable fashion, as Achraf Hakimi saw his cross turned into the net by Leonardo Balerdi. Rulli, left stranded out of his goal, was helpless as the ball bobbled over the line. The Argentine shot-stopper was similarly helpless for PSG’s third, as Bradley Barcola only needed to push Ousmane Dembélé’s ball across goal into an empty net from close range to notch his 8th goal of the campaign.
Predictably enough, the second half saw PSG – who are in the midst of a busy domestic and continental schedule – shift down several gears, with early substitutions for both Mendes and Barcola. Despite some plucky runs from the all-to-isolated Elye Wahi, Marseille were unable to create any clear-cut chances to cut the deficit.
It would be misguided to draw any overarching conclusions from the first Classique of the campaign, not least given the early (and debatable) sending-off of Amine Harit. Roberto De Zerbi’s faith in his players’ ability to put his philosophy into practice is unlikely to be shaken by tonight’s collapse, while Paris Saint-Germain have confirmed their return to form after an uncertain start to the month.
Marseille player ratings
Gerónimo Rulli, 4
Michael Murillo, 4
Leonardo Balerdi, 3
Geoffrey Kondogbia, 3
Lilian Brassier, 3
Adrien Rabiot, 4
Pierre-Emile Højbjerg, 3
Amine Harit, N/A
Mason Greenwood, 2
Elye Wahi, 2
Luis Henrique, 3
PSG player ratings
Gianluigi Donnarumma, 6
Achraf Hakimi, 6
Marquinhos, 6
Willian Pacho, 7
Nuno Mendes, 6 – It was the Portuguese full-back’s cross which brought about the opening goal, and continued to be a constant threat on the left wing throughout the first half – helped by the fact that the sending off had essentially freed him of most defensive duties. Replaced by Lucas Beraldo early in the first half.
Warren Zaïre-Emery, 5
João Neves, 8 – The summer signing won the vast majority of his duels and was PSG’s most incisive player in the attacking third, on top of scoring his first goal for the club. An all-round performance which has bolstered his credentials as the team’s new midfield leader.
Vitinha, 6
Ousmane Dembélé, 6 – The French international seemed to benefit from switching positions with Kang-in Lee, who for the last few weeks had been deployed as a false nine. He orchestrated PSG’s attacks from deep and set up the third goal – although his close-range miss in the second half was a reminder that his profligate finishing continues to hamstring what would otherwise be a complete attacking skillset.
Kang-in Lee, 6
Bradley Barcola, 7
GFFN | Raphaël Jucobin – reporting from the Stade Vélodrome, Marseille
