With a view to providing our readers with even richer content, we’ve come up with the idea of launching a section featuring an analysis of the key actions in a match, whether in terms of goals scored or conceded, fine moves, near misses and the like. The aim is to determine how much of each action was a collective or individual success or error. Here’s the new number. This is a sequence from the 0-3 victory over Olympique de Marseille on Matchday 9 of Ligue 1 2024-2025. It’s a presser in the 4th minute, Marseille’s last possession before the opening goal (also quickly shown).
The situation when the ball is lost
On the side, we can’t see him, but João Neves sticks to the Marseille player who would allow a slightly longer restart (we’ll see later).
OM had just won the ball back and the Parisians’ reaction was clear to see. Ousmane Dembélé, the closest player in the direction of play, dashes forward to impede the restart. Nuno Mendes goes for the simplest passing option.
Very importantly, and this will become clearer later, Vitinha takes the information and stays in his area, while Barcola is already on his way back.
The situation when the pass is made.
Marquinhos is showing off to lock up OM completely, and Vitinha’s presence in the centre of the area is preventing him from getting out of the pressing. Once again, Barcola is busy trying to get back into the game.
Dembélé tightened up in order to hinder the re-launch and leave no time to think, while Nuno Mendes made the simplest pass very dangerous. Under pressure, the Marseillais tried something despite the presence of Neves on his team-mate, with Willian Pacho covering behind.
The situation after duels and a dribble towards the back.
There was a duel, and OM got away with a bit of luck with the ball. But the ball carrier was smothered. Marquinhos and Pacho were well inside Marseille’s half, with 8 players close to the Marseille man who had the ball, while Lee Kang-In and Achraf Hakimi blocked any sudden change of flank.
Above all, Barcola is on the lookout to tackle when Wahi tries to pull back to exit cautiously. The Parisian striker’s effort is essential if he is not to spoil what has gone before. Nevertheless, the ball comes out in touch for OM.
The situation after the touchdown.
OM tried to get forward on their striker, but – and this should have been mentioned in an analysis of the match – Pacho came out perfectly and won his duel to extinguish the Marseille exit all the same.
It’s worth noting that around him, there’s a Parisian on just about every axis where the ball could go. Yet another sign of Parisian superiority.
Here, Lee loses his duel, but Zaïre-Emery immediately recovers the ball for a long possession that leads to the goal.
The situation when Nuno Mendes is launched into the box
We finish with a possible PSG flaw, even if there was a goal.
Ousmane Dembélé is in front of Neves and could dash to the near post to perhaps get in front of the goalkeeper to pick up a ball. Except that he stops and heads for Mendes as a back-pass option.
Neves didn’t really have time to suggest anything else, and in the end they were both the same option, hampered by a single defender. Paris did well with the ball deflected by the goalkeeper, but a better occupation of the surface was possible.
Nevertheless, we can see that Paris is very present, with Barcola in the box and Vitinha not far away. This strong attacking and defensive presence hurt OM, who lost their way. Without options, without the ball, Marseille made a lot of mistakes. One of which was the red card.
