Olympique Marseille – Paris Saint-Germain: Early Goals Decide Le Classique (0-2)

The blistering pace and delicate technique of Kylian Mbappé in the ninth minute of Paris Saint-Germain’s match against Olympique Marseille proved enough to see the guests past their biggest rivals, but also showed the value of having a true superstar in your squad. PSG, who matched Marseille’s 4-3-3 formation, won the game but were unconvincing in the process – something that has become a trend under new manager Mauricio Pochettino.

Tactical analysis and match report by K.T. Stockwell.

A dramatic several weeks at Marseille culminated in the club’s training ground being stormed by an angry group of ‘supporters’. The disgruntled fans proceeded to hurl projectiles and insults at the team and their manager, André Villas-Boas – frustrated over OM’s precipitous drop in form. The fallout gave way to Villas-Boas handing in his resignation, before the club went on to give up a two goal lead in a draw with Lens last weekend.

A win against PSG in Le Classique offered an opportunity to galvanize a splintering squad. Interim manager Nasser Larguet was not about to remake the team’s identity in a single week and stuck with the 4-3-3 formation OM had become used to under Villas-Boas. The starting eleven, too, was recognizable: Álvaro González and Duje Ćaleta-Car in central defense; a midfield trio of Pape Gueye, Valentin Rongier and Boubacar Kamara; Florian Thauvin and Dimitri Payet on the wings, while Valère Germain filled in at striker.

It has been a season rife with controversy for Paris Saint-Germain as well, who came into the fixture with Marseille chasing both Lyon and Lille in the table. The . . .