We’re done with El Clasico in Spain.
The German version of that, Der Klassiker has only recently come and gone too.
It’s time for the French to host their own version this weekend.
Le Classique dates back to 1971, a match that saw Olympique Marseille beat Paris Saint Germain 4 – 2 in their first ever encounter. This weekend’s encounter will be league meeting number 71. Of late, PSG have been the more successful of the two of course. The last time they failed to collect 3 points from this home encounter was back in 2010. But looking at how the league has progressed so far this season, Marseille could just repeat their feat from 5 seasons ago.
Marcelo Bielsa’s men have taken the league by storm, when everyone was anticipating another stroll in the park to the league title for Laurent Blanc’s squad. Especially following the deterioration of AS Monaco, a club most would deem as PSG’s equal in terms of spending power.
But that has not happened. Marseille have only dropped points on 3 occasions this season. In 12 matches played so far, they have conceded 10 goals. This time last season, they conceded at least 1 goal every game. Their away form is also very intimidating with 4 wins from 6.
L’OM have not only gone through a tiny upheaval in terms of personnel at the club, but also capitalized on PSG’s pre-occupation with European glory. It is only natural for a club that has won consecutive league titles to turn their attention elsewhere. Fortunately for Marseille, they do not have that distraction this season and perhaps it has come at the right time for them as they adjust to a new manager, a newly renovated stadium and basically play catch up to the Parisians.
On PSG’s part it isn’t as if they’ve gone and done a “Dortmund” in Ligue 1 either. They are only 4 points away from the top spot and still unbeaten in all competitions. Their record at the Parc des Princes is impeccable having won 5 of their 7 home battles there, 4 of which ended with clean sheets. But it’s the draw results that have seen them trail the league leaders up to this point. Injuries can’t be an excuse for PSG’s predicament. They are one of the few clubs in Europe that can actually boast an equally strong A and B team, just like Chelsea, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Manchester City. With or without Zlatan Ibrahimovic in the side facing Marseille, Blanc’s men have proven they can cope with his absence. The team has won 4 of their 6 league matches without the Swede, scoring the same total of goals they did when he was in the side.
So can Marseille win Le Classique?
I hope they do. Per game, Marseille have the highest number of shots on target and key passes. Bielsa has got his team playing to exploit how most French clubs like to play – stopping the opposition from playing the ball at the back. In typical Bielsa style, the Argentinian has favoured a high pressing game, choosing to win the ball back quickly and attack at pace. As a result, top scorer Andre Pierre Gignac has gotten 10 for his club in as many matches since the start of the season. In addition, players like Giannelli Imbula who was brought in by Bielsa’s predecessors is racking up 41 successful dribbles out of 58. Dimitri Payet is also leading the way with his assists. The efficiency in how he man-manages the same crop of players left behind by Elie Baup and Jose Anigo is bringing the best out of the team. His added advantage is that these players are already familiar with each other’s game having spent the whole of last season together, only to struggle for a spot outside of European competition qualification.
Unfortunately, the ex-Athletic Bilbao manager’s style is also known for its short expiration date, as witnessed during his time at the Basque club. Also, when you look back at their 12 results, only 2 matches involved teams from the top 5. They beat Saint-Etienne but failed to overcome the other big hurdle and a potential title contender, in Lyon. In fact, the next 20 days could really test Bielsa’s mettle in the Ligue 1 as Marseille will also be up against Bordeaux and Nantes after the international break.
First thing’s first, a trip to the Parc des Princes this weekend and hopefully the momentum from working under a new manager with entertaining and exciting ideas has not run out, yet.
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