The La Classique is upon French football as Marseille will be eager to beat rivals PSG and go level on points with the leaders.
A new revelation, another controversy there, has become the hallmark of Paris Saint-Germain in recent years. Not a month goes by without a further incident in the background, although the Parisians continue to dominate French football like no other side.
The Ligue 1 giants failed to beat Reims last weekend while faltering to a draw against Benfica in the Champions League. PSG dropping points last time did not affect their position much, as Marseille lost to Ajaccio. Yet, their rivals could be level on points if they beat Christophe Galtier’s men at Parc Des Princes on Sunday.
Those in charge of the club will be hoping for a positive result on the pitch. The PSG fans have endured a tough week amid rumours of star man Kylian Mbappe reportedly wanting to leave the club. A win over Marseille will restore some confidence as all eyes will be on the French superstar.
On the other hand, Marseille experienced a difficult time last weekend after suffering a defeat to Ajaccio. Between them and PSG are surprise package Lorient, who sits in second with 25 points on board. Manager Igor Tudor will be wary of the importance of the game, with a win imperative for the Ligue 1 side.
Victory would take Marseille level on points with PSG. With both top-level teams playing at this stage of the season and given the context of the game, it’s a big occasion for both sets of fans. Marseille will know the difficulties of hurting a team like PSG, but they will be ready.
Team News & Tactics
Paris Saint-Germain
Galtier will rue the red card Sergio Ramos received against Reims, which rules the defender out for the next two games. In addition, Presnel Kimpembe is ruled out with a hamstring problem, which will let the manager tinker with fielding a solid backline.
โฝ๐๐๏ธ #PSGOM #LeClassique pic.twitter.com/e5ZPy433D0
— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) October 15, 2022
Nordic Mukiele is expected to feature at the back alongside Danilo Pereira and Marquinhos. Meanwhile, Nuno Mendes will also be absent with a problem, meaning Bernat will likely take his place as a left wing-back. Achraf Hakimi is the ideal choice on the other flank.
Lionel Messi continues to be sidelined as concerns about the severity of the problem were highlighted over the week. There are fears the superstar could miss the World Cup, but many expect him to be fit in time.
Controversy-stricken Mbappe will have a chance to redeem himself after a week of uncertainty as he leads the line for PSG. He will have Neymar and Pablo Sarabia for support right behind him as a win is a target against Marseille.
Probable Lineup (3-4-3) – Donnarumma; Mukiele, Marquinhos, Danilo; Hakimi, Verratti, Vitinha, Bernat; Neymar, Mbappe, Sarabia
Marseille
Tudor does not have many problems leading to the PSG clash, as only Sead Kolasinac is an absentee. The left-back is not the preferred starter this term, as Arsenal loanee Nuno Tavares has made the position his own on the left.
๐๐๐ฒ ๐๐น๐ฎ๐๐๐ถ๐พ๐๐ฒ pic.twitter.com/g0k1MUGMum
— Olympique de Marseille ๐ฌ๐ง ๐บ๐ธ (@OM_English) October 14, 2022
Tudor will also decide on his starting goalkeeper after Pau Lopez impressed in midweek. Ruben Blanco had a lousy game against Ajaccio, which puts his place under threat from the former. Meanwhile, there’s plenty of talk about Amin Harit after he set up Mateo Gurendouzi and Alexis Sanchez against Sporting CP.
Marseille will set up similarly to PSG with a back three. Chancel Mbemba, Samuel Gigot, and Leonardo Balerdi are the candidates to marshall the backline. Guendouzi and Valentin Rongier will be midfielders for this clash, with Jonathan Clauss taking up the right wing-back position.
Dimitri Payet and Gerson could be preferred to play in support of Luis Suarez, who remains the preferred striker upfront. Alexis Sanchez will stay on the bench and be an option at some stage of the game.
Probable Lineup (3-4-3) – Lopez; Mbemba, Gigot, Balerdi; Clauss, Rongier, Guendouzi, Tavares; Payet, Suarez, Gerson
Key Stats
- PSG have won 20 of their last 24 matches against Marseille in all competitions.
- PSG have scored at least 2 goals in 23 of their last 26 matches against Marseille in all competitions.
- PSG are undefeated in their last 26 home matches in Ligue 1.
- Marseille have kept a clean sheet in 5 of their last 7 away matches in Ligue 1.
- Marseille have scored at least 2 goals in their last 3 away matches in Ligue 1.
Player to Watch
Kylian Mbappe
After another controversy to deal with, Mbappe found himself in troubled waters once more. This time, widespread reports pointed towards the forward’s desire to depart PSG at the earliest opportunity, which Luis Campos rebuffed. The striker is a prominent figure at the club, having signed the much-publicised contract extension.
However, the forward has to put to bed those rumours and lend his focus on matters on the field. Marseille is a big game, and Mbappe will be in the spotlight. The striker must have a big game to help PSG push in the hunt for the Ligue 1 title.
Prediction
PSG 2-1 Marseille
PSG have a tremendous record at home against Marseille, and the same should play in their favour in the La Classique. In addition to having defensive problems, the Parisians are still better equipped to deal with the threat of Marseille in this clash.
Marseille need to win this clash to stay relevant in the title chase. They could go level on points with the Parisians, but the overall quality of their team will be put to a severe test in Paris. Hence, the expected result narrowly favours PSG here, and the league leaders could take three points.
