14 years old. 14 years old, that Paris Saint-Germain had no longer returned to the volcanic Orange Vélodrome (9 victories, 3 draws in the last 12 games). Monday evening, in an incandescent atmosphere, Olympique de Marseille finally ended this incredible longevity. Well determined to play the classic the day after the postponement announced by the prefect of Bouches-du-Rhône, the Olympians above all confirmed that they were among the cadors of our championship. Faced with a PSG amputated from its stars – Dembélé, Goué, Barcola and Neves having joined the infirmary – OM, carried by a boiling audience, has, in fact, proven the depth and talent of its workforce.
A conquering mentality
Aligned in 3-4-3 with a defensive trio composed of Pavard, Aguerd and Balerdi and an attack led by Greenwood, Paixao and Gouiri, the men of Roberto de Zerbi showed a constant combativeness. First, in the first duels by displaying a roughness worthy of this kind of meeting, although sometimes at the limit of lawful. Then, definitively igniting the Marseille people when the new recruit Aguerd took the best in the face of Marquinhos and knight to open the scoring (1-0, 5th). A perfect start to the match where each Marseillais seemed to be animated by the spirit of devotion. With an unprecedented device – a three -time defense with Marquinhos, Pacho and Zabarnyi – the capital's club, it was undergoing.
More than ever determined, evidenced by the XXL performances of Palmieri and Weah in their respective corridor or that of the boss Pierre -Emile Höjbjerg in the midfield – OM affirmed its authority and took advantage, by sequence, of the benevolence of Jérôme Brisard. What does it matter. If Kvaratskhelia tried to wake up his family (31st), OM retained its game plan: high pressing, maximum intensity and a desire to punish its historic rival on each opportunity. On a new rapid attack, Gouiri, taking advantage of the duplication of Palmieri, was thus very close to making the station wagon but his limpid rolled shot ended on the knight bar (25th). Just before the break, Peaceao, hitherto very rough, triggered a new missile (45+3rd). In vain.
Executives at the level, already efficient recruits
Ovated by a velodrome with angels when returning to the locker room, the Phocaeans would however somewhat pay their energy debauchery during the first 45 minutes. Put under pressure by a frustrated PSG – notably in the face of the decisions of the evening official – OM nevertheless retained this supplement of soul. Valulent, full of malice and connected to each other, the sky and white resisted or relying on the genius of Rulli, imperial against Hakimi (59th) and Vitinha (72nd). For his part, the reigning European champion – who only touched two balloons in the surface of Marseille in the first period (that is to say his weakest total during the first 45 minutes of a Ligue 1 match since May 2016) – tirelessly hugged an Olympian defense still as impactful and logically made arms.
“We have to appreciate what is going on in this stadium. We made a big match, a great first period, and then we had a drop in energy. We still managed to make some good reminders. In the end, the victory is deserved against a team that marks its time as the AC Milan of Sacchi had been able to do it, a team that plays a different football, which adds value to the performance of my players “finally rejoiced Roberto de Zerbi, also proud to defeat PSG. “I came here for the velodrome and to beat PSG, the team that represents power, which has been winning without rival for years, which I do not accept in my philosophy”. Remarks similar to those made by Medhi Benatia in the mixed zone.
The time of confirmation …
“We must capitalize on this, and that it serves us for the rest. The team is strong, they are repeated every day to realize that they are able to do great things. And when there is this mentality as today … Mason Greenwood was extraordinary defensively, the same for Timothy Weah. Today is really a team victory, it's nice, facing a high -quality opponent. We made a match, especially in the first period, when we respected the exact plan that we had planned, and that is a pleasure for the coach ”confided the director of OM football, also recalling that despite the prestige of this success, it was only three points.
Realistic in the two surfaces, reassured by a powerful central hinge, carried by hyperactive pistons and a conquering environment but also relieved by its entrants (Aubameyang, Nadir, Murillo, Vaz), OM is, whatever it is, offered a reference match at the start of the season. So yes, many will certainly comment on the arbitral decisions of Jérôme Brisard, others may emphasize the many absent Parisian on the Paris but one thing is certain, OM, returned to 6th place in the French championship, has (finally) put an end to this crazy black series. A victory also symbolizing the Roberto paw of Zerbi and which will inevitably spoil the Parisian evening, marked at the same time by the coronation of Ousmane Dembélé during the Ceremony of the Ballon d'Or 2025.
