For the first time in years, OM receives PSG on Sunday, in the shoes of a contender for the title of champion of France.
By definition, an OM-PSG is not a match like any other. But this one, Sunday February 26, will have a particular flavor, of those matches that mark a season. Eighteen days after Marseille’s victory in the quarter-finals of the Coupe de France (2-1), the best enemies meet for revenge in the league. A decisive meeting, OM having the opportunity to come back to within two points of the Parisian leader.
Because it’s (already) revenge
On February 8, the Vélodrome stadium returned to a pleasure it thought had disappeared for a long time. For the first time since January 27, 2011, OM beat PSG in front of their home crowd, in the round of 16 of the Coupe de France (2-1). More than this victory, the second of the last 26 confrontations, that is to say for twelve years, it is especially the displayed face which marked. Dominators, the Marseillais finally looked the Parisians in the eye. Better, they abused them, in a volcanic Velodrome.
Less than three weeks later, PSG come to take their revenge and hope to take a big step towards the title. In case of victory, the Parisians would indeed have a 7-point lead. And good news for Paris: absent during the duel at the beginning of the month, Kylian Mbappé is back to come and wash away the affront. During training open to the public during the week at the Parc des Princes, the Parisian supporters did not ask for anything else.
Because Paris is in doubt
Unhappy inventor of the autumn crisis and recalcitrant student of routs in the spring for several years, PSG has innovated this season by launching the winter storm. Authors of a lackluster month of February, eliminated by rival Marseille in the Cup, and beaten in the round of 16 first leg of the Champions League (0-1) by a not really impressive Bayern Munich, the Parisians are on the verge of chasm, although still leaders of Ligue 1.
The defeat in the Coupe de France of course left its mark, as did the one that followed in the league in Monaco (1-3), while PSG had already lost to Rennes in early January (0-1). Not to mention the draw against Reims, at the Parc (1-1). The only reason for hope for PSG: the meeting against Lille, won on the wire (4-3), with in particular a Neymar found. Problem: the Brazilian, injured, will not be traveling to Marseille.
Because the title race can be restarted
It’s been more than a decade since OM played for the Ligue 1 title. Crowned champions of France in 2010 under Didier Deschamps, the Marseillais have since had few opportunities to get involved in the final sprint. to lift the Hexagoal. But in the event of a victory against PSG, they would return to two points behind the Parisians, thirteen days from the end of the championship. “I don’t think the title will be decided on this match, there will be a lot left”for his part minimized Christophe Galtier, while conceding: “But a win from us would be welcome.”
Igor Tudor, his Marseille counterpart, kicked into touch but Chancel Mbemba put his foot in the dish: “We play game by game to win and to see our goal. Yes, we are thinking of the title. We are obliged”. An outing that has become the new motto of Marseille supporters on social networks.
Because it will be historic
No matter what happens on the pitch, this OM-PSG will go down in history. Indeed, the attendance record for a Ligue 1 match (excluding meetings relocated to the Stade de France) will be beaten this evening, as announced for several days by the club. And for good reason, as Parisian supporters are banned from traveling, visitor parking spaces have been sold to the Marseillais. The 67,000 seats of the Velodrome should therefore all be occupied.