Kylian Mbappe and Marco Verratti impressed as Paris Saint-Germain secured their retribution over Marseille with a 2-0 victory on Sunday.
PSG continued their push for the top spot in the Ligue 1 table with a vital 2-0 victory over Marseille on Sunday. The win helps them sustain pressure on the likes of LOSC Lille and Lyon as the title race continues to mesmerise the fans.
It was a far more comfortable game for PSG compared to the reverse fixture back in September that saw five players getting sent off. In fact, they found the breakthrough within the first ten minutes of the game thanks to Kylian Mbappe. The Frenchman clocked 36 km/h to help the visitors score from a lighting quick counterattack.
PSG’s early pressure translated into another goal around the stroke of the first quarter of the game through Mauro Icardi. His smart header helped Les Parisiens double their advantage at half-time. Marseille did create a few openings in the second half, but it was not enough to really threaten the opposition.
Their night was made worse by a late red card for Dimitri Payet due to a dangerous tackle on the hips on Marco Verratti. PSG ultimately came away with all three points and here, at The Hard Tackle, we will take a closer look at these two sides performed following this important match-up in Ligue 1 this past weekend.
Marseille
Steve Mandanda: 5/10
One may argue that Steve Mandanda should have done a little bit better in saving either of the two goals scored by PSG, especially for the first where he was completely beaten due to his positioning. Did not have much to do otherwise.
Oh that is outrageous Mauro Icardi ?pic.twitter.com/rhCpaa03Gl
— SPORTbible (@sportbible) February 7, 2021
Hiroki Sakai: 3/10
An awful game for Hiroki Sakai, who lost too many duels and allowed the opposition attacker to create too many openings on the flanks. Needs to improve.
Alvaro Gonzalez: 4/10
Alvaro Gonzalez could not deal with Mbappe’s pace for the first goal but then again, very few can. Improved after the goal but Marseille need more solidity from him.
Duje Caleta-Car: 5/10
Unlike his defensive partner, Duje Caleta-Car was not directly responsible for any of the goals. He also looked stronger in duels and better overall.
Yuto Nagatomo: 2/10
Yuto Nagatomo’s error had a part to play in the second goal for PSG. Certainly not good enough to play at this level.
Valentin Rongier: 5/10
Valentin Rongier was dispossessed in the middle of the park a few times and was way too incompetent in dealing with Marco Verratti. Did show signs of improvement, but not enough to aid his team.
Boubacar Kamara: 6.5/10
Boubacar Kamara was perhaps the best performer for Marseille in this game. The youngster impressed the onlookers with his positioning and solidity in the middle of the park but needed more support from his teammates.
What a player Boubacar Kamara (21) is turning into – André Villas Boas positioning him in midfield has given him an exceptional passing radar & a great sense of phases of play. If he eventually returns to the centre of defence, this spell will have exponentially improved him.
— Get French Football News (@GFFN) February 7, 2021
Papa Gueye: 6/10
Offered Kamara a semblance of support with his energy and enthusiasm. Also whipped a nice effort on goal that caused problems for Sergio Rico. Faded in the second half.
Florian Thauvin: 5/10
Florian Thauvin offered a little bit of threat for the PSG defence with his pace and trickery on the flanks. But did influence in the second half.
Valere Germain: 2/10
Valere Germain flopped on the night, struggling to provide any real influence on the proceedings. A poor turnout from the Marseille forward, who continues with his underwhelming run of form.
Dimitri Payet: 4/10
Operating on the left flank, Dimitri Payet simply did not do enough to provide the creativity necessary to unsettle the PSG backline. Picked up a late red card to add more salt in the wound.
SUBSTITUTES
Dario Benedetto: 4/10
Replaced Germain just before the hour mark to add a bit of energy in the final third but to no avail.
Pol Lirola: 5/10
Replaced the awful Nagatomo in the 56th minute. He was certainly much more solid than the former Inter Milan man.
Lucas Perrin: N/A
A late replacement for Gonzalez. Did not play enough to warrant a rating.
Luis Henrique: N/A
A late replacement for Thauvin. Did not play enough to warrant a rating.
Michael Cuisance: N/A
A late replacement for Rongier. Did not play enough to warrant a rating.
Paris Saint-Germain
Sergio Rico: 5/10
Sergio Rico did not have much to do in between the sticks but looked nervous every time he was called into action. PSG need Keylor Navas back as soon as possible.
Alessandro Florenzi: 6.5/10
Alessandro Florenzi made good leeway into the final third, making use of OM’s defensively sloppy fullbacks. A decent performance from the PSG star.
Marquinhos: 7.5/10
Manquinhos’s presence on the pitch served as a boon for PSG. His ability to sense danger and overall composure kept Germain quite throughout the game.
OFFICIAL: Captain Marquinhos & Marco Verratti walk back into PSG’s starting XI in Marseille. #OMPSG
— Jonathan Johnson (@Jon_LeGossip) February 7, 2021
Presnel Kimpembe: 7.5/10
Presnel Kimpembe offered the necessary defensive support to Marquinhos at centre-back, helping his team secure a much-needed clean sheet against Marseille.
Layvin Kurzawa: 6.5/10
Layvin Kurzawa had a decent game on the left flank. He moved up and down the pitch, though he perhaps should have been more accurate with his crosses.
Idrissa Gueye: 6/10
Idrissa Gueye struggled to impose his authority on the pitch as much as he would have liked. The former Everton star looked sloppy at times and may find it difficult to retain his place in the side.
Leandro Paredes: 6/10
Leandro Paredes’s solid strike that hit the post was his only real contribution to the game. His aggression was rarely useful as the game was too passive for him.
Marco Verratti: 7.5/10
Marco Verratti made a major impression upon his return to the starting eleven. He notably created the turnover that led to PSG’s first goal and was quite silky with his overall efforts in central midfield. His presence is always a boon for the visitors.
Dimitri Payet sent off for Marseille for a really poor challenge on Marco Verratti could have done serious damage on him. A comfortable win for Paris Saint-Germain with Mbappé and Icardi scoring the goals. The first goal was an absolutely magnificent counter attacking goal.
— Josh Bunting (@Buntingfootball) February 7, 2021
Angel Di Maria: N/A
Angel Di Maria was a livewire during the first ten minutes, but his night was unfortunately cut short by an injury that forced him off in the 11th minute. Did not play enough to warrant a rating.
Mauro Icardi: 7/10
Starting ahead of Moise Kean, Icardi’s ingenious header led to PSG’s second of the night. But, the former Inter Milan striker was not really involved much elsewhere.
Kylian Mbappe: 8/10
Mbappe’s blistering pace led to the opener for PSG and his overall explosiveness made things quite difficult for the Marseille defenders. Played a useful role in the attack especially after the injury of Di Maria.
Kylian Mbappe for PSG:
1️⃣5️⃣0️⃣ Games
1️⃣0️⃣8️⃣ GoalsMagnifique ??? pic.twitter.com/RXQqkLviU0
— Goal (@goal) February 7, 2021
SUBSTITUTES
Pablo Sarabia: 6.5/10
Pablo Sarabia was called into action early as he replaced the injured Di Maria. Was not as influential as the Argentine and was replaced himself late in the game.
Neymar: 6.5/10
Neymar came on for Icardi midway through the second half. He offered more trickery and pace, but couldn’t find the back of the net.
Danilo Pereira: 6.5/10
Replaced Paredes around the 66th minute to offer more defensive solidity in the middle of the park.
Thilo Kehrer: N/A
A late replacement for Florenzi. Did not play enough to warrant a rating.
Moise Kean: N/A
A late replacement for Sarabia. Did not play enough to warrant a rating.
