Here’s our series. The 5 good reasons to watch a match (with some adjustments here and there). We’ll revisit the compelling aspects before each match with a mix of seriousness and humor. Please note, this isn’t meant to be an exhaustive overview. We continue here with the match between Paris Saint-Germain (1st) and Olympique de Marseille (3rd) this Sunday at the Parc des Princes for Matchday 21 of the 2025-2026 Ligue 1 season (kick-off 8:45 PM, CET).
5 – Revenge on both sides.
PSG lost in Ligue 1 after a frustrating match, while OM saw the Trophée des Champions slip away in the final moments of regulation time and after a penalty shootout. Both sides may be eager to set things right. A great added motivation for a Classico that’s always intense.
4 – Lee Kang-In needs to prove himself.
Lee Kang-In, the 24-year-old midfielder/forward, made a remarkable return from injury with a strong performance against Strasbourg last Sunday. Technically precise, intelligent in his decision-making, incisive on the ball, and aggressive in winning it back, he was a welcome boost for a struggling PSG side. We hope he continues in this vein tonight, possibly as a starter.
3 – Dembélé and Doué: a night to shake off the slump.
Ousmane Dembélé (28-year-old forward) hasn’t shone since his fantastic goal against Lille; he even had a lackluster appearance in Strasbourg. Désiré Doué (20-year-old midfielder/forward) was more impressive, but that came after several very disappointing performances. It’s time for last season’s attacking leaders to rediscover their impact and decisive contributions. There’s nothing better than a Classico at the Parc des Princes to reignite positive momentum and reconnect with those big nights, as well as with the fans.
2 – A spectacle almost guaranteed.
Coaches Luis Enrique and Roberto De Zerbi have a primarily attacking approach and don’t tend to make changes simply because the opposing team has strengths. We’ve already seen this in their recent encounters, which have been particularly fast-paced. Both sides boast top-level players who thrive on these special nights. We can expect to see some truly spectacular football in a match with no dull moments.
1 – An exciting championship race.
PSG is under pressure for the title, especially from RC Lens, who are having a fantastic season. There’s also a strong group in the race for European qualification that could quickly close the gap if there are any poor results. Especially tonight, since OM is among them. In fact, Marseille needs to both hold onto one of the top two spots and defend third by taking three points tonight. The sporting stakes are high, which only adds to the excitement of this Classico.
