The latest instalment of the Le Classique promises fireworks and presents Marseille with the chance to be within two points of PSG.
The Orange Velodrome remains one of the fiercest grounds across Europe, and on Sunday, it will play host to Marseille’s biggest game of the season. Not only is the club’s pride at stake, but there will also be a test of character for Igor Tudor’s men in the title chase.
Marseille enter this match five points behind Ligue 1 leaders Paris Saint-Germain, as a win could push them closer to the champions. Tudor’s side could close the gap to just two points and end the week on a high note.
Marseille have already ousted their opponents from the Coupe de France earlier this month and would like to repeat the feat in the all-important league fixture. They also carry momentum from a fantastic comeback victory against Toulouse, with goals from Chancel Mbemba, Cengiz Under and Nuno Tavares sealing three points.
Paris Saint-Germain did not have an easy task, needing an injury-time winner from Lionel Messi to overcome LOSC Lille. Having gone two goals up in the first half, the visitors fought back and took the lead in the second half. Kylian Mbappe scored a late equaliser before Messi netted the winner.
With Lionel Messi free-kick goal vs Lille he has officially scored 61 career free-kick goals 🐐 pic.twitter.com/a473qCZM8h
— LSPN FC (@LSPNFC_) February 19, 2023
There was plenty of drama from the stands as PSG’s Football advisor dragged himself to the touchline and barked an order. Despite that result, the pressure is on Galtier to produce consistent results. The Champions League loss to Bayern Munich last week has made matters worse. Hence a win over Marseille will become imperative for the manager.
PSG come into this clash with questionable defensive performances in recent times. They are without a clean sheet in their last seven games across all competitions. They are also aware of the difficulties ahead of them away at Marseille, as they risk letting the opposition close the gap on them.
Team News & Tactics
Marseille
Igor Tudor will be without key defender Chancel Mbemba for the crucial clash with PSG as the centre-back serves a suspension for accumulating too many yellow cards. Amine Harit will remain sidelined for many more months, while Samuel Gigot is also doubtful for Sunday’s game.
Our 𝗯𝗼𝘀𝘀 Igor Tudor, speaking in the pre-game presser yesterday 🗣️: "We won the cup match but an even more difficult match awaits us."#OMPSG pic.twitter.com/ilM3ZLX380
— Olympique de Marseille 🇬🇧 🇺🇸 (@OM_English) February 25, 2023
Mbemba’s suspension would allow Eric Bailly to take his place. He could have Sead Kolasinac and Leonardo Balerdi in central defence. In central midfield, Marseille could lineup with Jordan Veretout and Valentin Rongier. Jonathan Clauss and Nuno Tavares will take up the wing-back roles for the team.
While Tudor could go with the same attacking lineup for the PSG game, Ruslan Malinovskyi has given the manager something to consider. He changed the game’s momentum for Marseille since coming on for Azzedine Ounahi at half-time.
The Morrocan will drop to the bench if the Ukrainian international starts. Matteo Guendouzi continues to find rhythm in an unfamiliar role further up the pitch, while Alexis Sanchez will lead the line for Marseille.
Probable Lineup (3-4-3): Lopez; Bailly, Balerdi, Kolasinac; Clauss, Rongier, Veretout, Tavares; Guendouzi, Sanchez, Malinovskyi
Paris Saint-Germain
Christophe Galtier has plenty of decisions on his hand ahead of the trip to Marseille. While there have been positive updates on injured players, the pressure was finally easing up on the manager. However, PSG suffered another blow against Lille as Neymar rolled his ankle and could face significant time out.
🆗👊 Le groupe parisien pour le déplacement à Marseille
— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_inside) February 25, 2023
The Brazilian joins Renato Sanches in the treatment room, with the Portuguese midfielder yet to recover from a hamstring problem. Meanwhile, Nuno Mendes suffered a knock in the last game, which is not considered serious at first glance. Galtier may not risk the Portuguese full-back and call upon Juan Bernat in his place.
Achraf Hakimi also remains a doubt, as there are suggestions Galtier could experiment with Warren Zaire-Emery in the right-back position. However, with Nordi Mukiele back in full training, he could push to make a start. If the manager decides against both ideas, he could go with Timothee Pembele in the role.
Alongside Mukiele, Marquinhos also returned to full training and could make the starting eleven for such a crucial game. In the attack, Messi will sit behind two strikers, Mbappe and Hugo Ekitike, who could replace Neymar in the lineup.
Probable Lineup (4-3-1-2): Donnarumma; Pembele, Marquinhos, Ramos, Bernat; Soler, Verratti, Ruiz; Messi; Ekitike, Mbappe
Key Stats
- Marseille have won nine of their last 11 matches in Ligue 1.
- Marseille have scored at least two goals in eight of their last ten matches in Ligue 1.
- Marseille have nine wins from 11 games in 2023.
- PSG are without a clean sheet in their last seven games across all competitions.
- PSG have only one victory away from home since the World Cup.
Player to Watch
Lionel Messi
If one was wondering what Messi’s magic looked like, they witnessed his last-minute winner against Lille, which lit up Parc des Princes. The Argentine is truly capable of these moments, as everything bad that PSG did before that in the game was forgotten.
In this matchday, PSG will come to the Orange Velodrome under increased pressure to keep hold of their top spot. The absence of Neymar adds more impetus on someone like Messi, whose future remains uncertain, to take control of the leadership group and put in a performance that would further elevate his status within PSG’s fanbase.
Prediction
Marseille 1-1 PSG
If form and momentum had some say in determining results, then Marseille could be the favourites to win this clash. However, this is a PSG side filled with some of the biggest attacking names in world football. So one can never underestimate their chances at any stage of the contest.
Yet, PSG have shown first hand they could be beaten under pressure, and Marseille should also show us how. Considering many other factors, such as key missing players on both sides, this clash could be headed for a draw, with PSG retaining their five-point advantage at the top.
