numerically inferior, PSG wins painfully in Marseille

Even at 10 against 11, PSG was able to pull together to win the Classic in Marseille (2-0) thanks to Vitinha and Gonçalo Ramos. At the end of the 27th day of Ligue 1, Paris remains 12 points ahead at the top of the championship.

Carried by its Portuguese – Vitinha and Gonçalo Ramos – at the Vélodrome stadium, Sunday March 31, PSG won the second Classic of the season, ending a series of 19 games without defeat for the Marseillais in their lair this season. Paris is still the clear leader of Ligue 1 with 62 points, while Marseille remains at the gates of European places with 39 points, in seventh position. OM may harbor regrets, as Jean-Louis Gasset’s men multiplied the chances on the Parisian goal, while Lucas Beraldo was sent off before the break.

This numerical superiority could have allowed the Marseillais to reverse the balance of power in the Classics. Although they generally dominated the match, they were unable to be effective, as evidenced by the 461 minutes without scoring against their rivals. With 20 strikes on the Parisian goal (compared to only 8 for PSG), the Phocaeans largely tried their luck in this Classic, but they came across Gianluigi Donnarumma in very good form. Author of 10 saves, the Italian goalkeeper allowed Paris to keep the advantage at the height of Marseille pressure in the second period, notably with some high-class saves, in front of Faris Moumbagna (87th) or Amine Harit (89th).

The Phocaeans were also unhappy, when Jordan Veretout saw his heavy shot graze the upright (16th), then equalize, before seeing his goal refused for an offside by Luis Henrique (59th). Opposite, Paris was able to display its offensive power by operating on the counterattack. With a long one-two, Ousmane Dembélé served Vitinha on a plateau (0-1, 53rd), before Gonçalo Ramos ended the suspense, after a cross from Marco Asensio (0-2, 85th).

Vitinha and Dembélé unlock Paris

Brilliant before the break against Montpellier, Vitinha added a new achievement to a season which resembles that of confirmation, with already seven goals and five assists to his credit in all competitions. The Portuguese environment can above all thank an altruistic Ousmane Dembélé, like his evening. A decisive passer, he was the one who brought the Parisian game together. Clumsy and expensive with the ball at the start of the match, in a number 10 role, he is nevertheless the one who allowed his team to create danger. In the first period, it was he who served Randal Kolo Muani leading to a miss from Fabian Ruiz (4th), before throwing the former Nantais player in depth again, the latter stumbling on Pau Lopez (28th).

Inspired, his solidarity raid at the half-hour mark certainly deserved a better fate, but he faltered again at the finish, crossing his shot too much. Replaced by Marco Asensio shortly after the hour mark, his absence was felt, as Paris lost control of its counter-attacks. Only Achraf Hakimi managed to add a little rhythm and technical quality, on the second goal in particular, during the last 20 long minutes of suffering for Paris. Quite the opposite of Kylian Mbappé, who long stood out for his ineffectiveness on the left flank of the Parisian attack, until his exit at the same time (65th minute).