A rivalry to maintain. Olympique de Marseille hosts Paris Saint-Germain for a new Classic, Sunday March 31, in a packed Vélodrome stadium, which should also break its attendance record. Seventh in Ligue 1, the Marseillais must avoid falling behind the other contenders for Europe, while they are already seven points behind the Champions League wagon. Leading by 9 points, the visitors will be especially keen to repeat their performance from the first leg: a 4-0 victory at the Parc des Princes at the end of September.
A PSG with full confidence
Almost assured of winning their eleventh title, qualified in the semi-finals of the Coupe de France against Rennes, but especially in the quarter-finals of the Champions League against Barcelona… For Luis Enrique’s men, all lights are on green before a decisive month of April. Their last outing in Ligue 1 produced a tennis score on the Montpellier lawn in mid-March (6-2) and it is difficult to see what could shake them on a terrain that is certainly hostile, but on which they no longer have lost in the championship since 2011.
Of the cascading injuries for Marseille
Opposite, OM presents itself with extremely weakened troops. In addition to the long-term absences of captain Valentin Rongier and Michael Murillo, no less than five players are missing: Bamo Meïté, Ismaïla Sarr, Bilal Nadir, Jean Onana and Jonathan Clauss, affected against Chile with the France team on Tuesday. Long uncertain, Samuel Gigot, Leonardo Balerdi, Pape Gueye and Ulisses Garcia finally appears in the Marseille group.
Kylian Mbappé’s last classic?
At the end of his contract next June with the capital club, the Parisian striker has still not announced where he will play next season. However, it is a safe bet that this will be his ultimate Classic. The opportunity to shine once again and boost his statistical record in a successful performance (9 goals, 2 assists in 13 matches). Unless Luis Enrique decides – again – to leave him on the bench after having played the Blues’ two matches in full during the break.