This Sunday, March 16, Paris Saint-Germain (1st) take on Olympique de Marseille (2nd) at the Parc des Princes (kick-off 8.45pm, UTC+1) as part of Matchday 26 of Ligue 1 2024-2025. And as before every match, here’s a presentation of the Parisians’ opponents.
OM’s situation –
After a few chaotic years, Marseille may have found the right formula for its squad this summer with the arrival of coach Roberto De Zerbi. De Zerbi has done a great job at Brighton and looks set to be an important addition to Marseille’s squad.
The season has been encouraging, with other important recruits and a style of play that is settling in. Having lost the Coupe de France to Lille, the Marseillais are currently in 2nd place and can therefore hope to qualify for the Champions League. Beware, however, as a slide down the standings can happen quickly in a tight race.
The 2024 summer mercato –
Source: Transfermarkt.
Departures:
Arrivals:
The 2024/2025 winter mercato –
Source: Transfermarkt.
Departures:
Arrivals:
Key statistics –
This season, OM have the 2nd best attack in the league with 52 goals scored (the leaders, PSG, have 70, and the last, Montpellier, have 15), and are among the 3rd best defenders with 30 goals conceded (PSG have the best defense with 24, the last, Montpellier, has 59).
Marseille’s top scorer is Mason Greenwood (23-year-old striker), who is 2nd in the league with 15 goals (Ligue 1’s top scorer is Ousmane Dembélé with 20). Neal Maupay (28-year-old striker) and Luis Henrique (23-year-old winger) are Marseille’s best passers with 4 assists each, ranking 22nd and 23rd in Ligue 1 (Rayan Cherki is first with 9 assists).
OM’s last 5 matches –
Only Marseille’s possession is shown and OM’s shots are put first (when data is available).
09/02/2025 (Ligue 1) – Angers/Marseille: 0-2. 3-4-1-2 formation. 79% possession. 18 shots, including 10 on target, against 5 shots (0 on target).
02/15/2025 (Ligue 1) – Marseille/Saint-Etienne: 5-1. 3-4-1-2 formation. 71% possession. 28 shots, including 14 on target, against 7 shots (2 on target).
22/02/2025 (Ligue 1) – Auxerre/Marseille (down to 10 at the 63rd minute, 1-0): 3-0. 3-4-2-1 formation. 80% possession. 8 shots including 2 on target vs. 9 shots (5 on target).
02/03/2025 (Ligue 1) – Marseille/Nantes: 2-0. 3-4-2-1 formation. 75% possession. 21 shots including 5 on target vs. 8 shots (2 on target).
08/03/2025 (Ligue 1) – Marseille/Lens : 0-1. 3-4-2-1 formation. 76% possession. 15 shots, including 6 on target, against 3 shots (2 on target).
The squad and probable team.
Absent – Blanco, Carboni, Garcia, Merlin, Moumbagna (injuries), Mbemba (choice).
The team according to the press
L’Equipe (4-3-3) or Le Parisien (4-2-3-1) –
Gouiri
Rabiot – Greenwood
Merlin – Rongier – Bennacer – Luis Henrique
Kondogbia – Luiz – Felipe – Balerdi
Rulli
OM’s style of play.
De Zerbi clearly likes to play attacking football, with the idea of playing high up the pitch and multiplying passes to create a gap. This promises to be a very intense match against PSG, who also have some very attacking ideas.
OM’s aggressiveness is also noticeable, with red cards regularly shown (even if we know it’s because of the referee). The Classico could be a bit explosive. We’ll need to respond with determination, while avoiding excess.
