Paris Saint-Germain – Olympique Marseille: PSG Salvage Bragging Rights In Close Classique (2-1)

In a season of disappointment for PSG, the only thing left fighting for is their pride, which is always at stake against arch-rivals Marseille. In a match of fine margins, the hosts did prevail, but it was not too pretty.

Tactical analysis and match report by Neel Shelat.

This was meant to be the season for Paris Saint-Germain. They went all-out in the summer transfer window as they added the likes of Lionel Messi and Sergio Ramos to a squad that already possessed superstars such as Kylian Mbappé and Neymar, hoping that they would finally be able to end their Champions League curse. Unfortunately for them, that was not to be, as they suffered bitter elimination at the hands of Real Madrid in the Round of Sixteen.

They had comfortably dominated domestically, but things were quite tight in the race for Europe behind them. Following a great run of form that saw them win their last eight matches in all competitions, Marseille had established themselves as the front-runners for the best of the rest spot, but they only had a three-point cushion.

PSG lined up in their usual 4-3-3 formation, with Gianluigi Donnarumma in goal behind a back four of Achraf Hakimi, Marquinhos, Presnel Kimpembe and Nuno Mendes. Marco Verratti had Danilo Pereira and Idrissa Gueye for company in midfield, whilst the fabled trio of Messi, Neymar and Mbappé led the attack.

The visitors also lined up in what appeared to be a 4-3 . . .