For his debut as an RMC Sport pundit, Samuel Umtiti (32 years old) delivered a clear verdict: “PSG is back.” For Paris Saint-Germain, this victory against Marseille served primarily as a key match: a must-win to stay ahead of Lens and distance themselves from a direct rival, during a period when Paris had been less sharp.
Umtiti: “I think Luis Enrique helped him a lot.”
Dembélé?
He’s simply decisive. His position helps him be so much more. On the wings, he played much more with his eyes closed, and on the pitch, you have to keep your eyes wide open to make the right pass. I think Luis Enrique helped him a lot, and I think he took charge of his life. Mentally, I think he’s a different person.
Umtiti: “We forget the number of matches, the injuries, not much vacation time…”
I think PSG is back. And you know, it’s very tough. Paris has been playing a lot of matches… People forget the number of games, the injuries, the lack of vacation time, and yet they think they’re robots and can perform at their best for 60 games in a row.
It wasn’t a great performance from Paris, but at every moment, they were capable of troubling this Marseille team because they have the players to do it, and those players were up to the task. That’s what we ask of him (Dembélé), to be decisive, and he was tonight.
Umtiti: “I think Paris can do much better.”
I don’t want to downplay it because even against a weak team, you have to play your game. Paris did that. But if you ask me, I think Paris can do much better because at certain points, there were turnovers they don’t make in other matches.
Marseille wasn’t up to par, but Paris played the game they needed to. The players behaved as they should have, in defense, midfield, and attack. There’s nothing to say about this match.
In terms of performance, PSG primarily conveyed an image: that of a team regaining its form. After a more lackluster spell, this PSG-OM match saw them deliver where it mattered, with the seriousness and intensity required when momentum falters. The epitome of this is Ousmane Dembélé (28 years old): more precise, more clinical, and above all, more consistent in his effort, with a pressing game that gives the entire team breathing room.
But the match also highlighted an often-overlooked driving force: Nuno Mendes (23 years old), stratospheric in his work rate and impact, capable of turning a game around from his wing.
Umtiti also pointed to a factor that many “deliberately forget”: the constant pressure, injuries, and lack of stamina. Paris didn’t do everything perfectly, but this kind of victory can serve as a launching pad… especially when physical returns start to catch up with ambitions.
