Le Classique arrives this weekend with out the identical fanfare that met it in the beginning of the season. Again in October, the conflict between France’s two most profitable soccer golf equipment was a hotly anticipated affair. On the time, Olympique de Marseille had been on Paris Saint-Germain’s tails with solely three factors separating the groups.
That match proved to be a actuality examine for Marseille. João Neves opened the scoring within the seventh minute earlier than Amine Harit’s crimson card precipitated a complete collapse. PSG had recorded their third purpose earlier than the half-time whistle and would by no means want to depart second gear to see out the 3-0 victory.
Since October, Marseille have stored maintain of their place as the most effective of the remaining in Ligue 1, however that has not meant that they’ve delivered on the promise of a title race. Following the weekend’s outcomes, PSG sit 16 factors above Marseille in second. Which might partly clarify why the upcoming fixture on the Parc des Princes between the 2 rivals looms from the shadows fairly than dominates the dialog in France.
PSG look to Liverpool conflict
As a substitute of Le Classique, there may be an virtually feverish deal with tomorrow evening when Les Parisiens journey to Anfield and try and overturn a 1-0 deficit of their struggle to stay within the Champions League. It was the subject that dominated the post-match following PSG’s 4-1 victory over Stade Rennais on Saturday evening.
Luis Enrique, earlier than the Rennes victory, had strenuously denied that he was considering of something apart from his Ligue 1 opposition. Nevertheless, these fairly skinny denials had been dropped after the sport when with a smile he informed reporters, “I’ve been mendacity to you. After all I’ve been interested by Liverpool and that’s been the case because the draw for the Final 16.”
Whereas, Lucas Hernandez within the combined zone acknowledged, “It was necessary to proceed our successful streak earlier than the match in Liverpool. Everybody feels good and we’re all prepared for Tuesday. I feel we put in what we wanted to win. We wished to indicate we’re a giant crew by taking this match critically. We’re very assured of Tuesday… It’s by no means straightforward to play at Anfield however we’ve a terrific group, a terrific crew that’s at present at its greatest.”
Marseille try and ‘flip the web page’
In Marseille, the temper music was very completely different. ‘Wesh Alors’ rang out from the RC Lens supporters as they watched their membership report a smash and seize 94th minute winner on the Stade Vélodrome on Saturday night. The music has grow to be an anthem for Marseille’s victories and the Lens devoted took the possibility to mock their hosts.
“We have now to remain calm,” Marseille captain Leonardo Balerdi cautioned following the 1-0 loss. “We have now to show the web page and take into consideration Paris.” Le Classique comes at an inopportune time for the membership. Outcomes have been combined with the defeat to Lens which means that Marseille have now misplaced three of their final seven video games.
All of this contributes to the sensation that for each groups Sunday’s match looms fairly than approaches with delight the one factor at stake. For PSG, the ‘north-south derby’ comes as a distraction in per week the place they’re centered on their European quest, and for Marseille it’s a reminder that enhancements must be remodeled the summer season if they’ve any hope of taking the following step and difficult their bitter rivals for the title.
This week’s Ligue 1 subplots
OGC Good had the possibility to make the most of Marseille’s slip and go degree on factors with Roberto De Zerbi’s facet. Nevertheless, Olympique Lyonnais had been unwilling individuals, successful 2-0 in a match that was outlined by two absent coaches. .
https://twitter.com/GFFN/standing/1899103801140748651
Jurgen Klopp had some sympathy for the Lyon head coach Paulo Fonseca, who’s serving a nine-month suspension from the touchline. Klopp joked that he had been in related eventualities to the one which Fonseca had been banned for. .
“There are related photos of me; 1cm could be the distinction between a 9-month ban and no ban.”
Jürgen Klopp sympathised with Paulo Fonseca after the Lyon supervisor acquired a prolonged ban after an outburst towards an official. ⬇️
There was some excellent news for a Marseille participant regardless of the weekend’s outcome as Amine Gouiri gained Ligue 1 Participant of the Month over Ousmane Dembélé and Achraf Hakimi. Mika Biereth was conspicuously absent regardless of the AS Monaco striker scoring 9 in February. .
Marseille’s Amine Gouiri (25) has gained the UNFP Participant of the Month award for February. He beat PSG duo Ousmane Dembélé (27) and Achraf Hakimi (26) to the award. Regardless of netting 9 targets final month, Monaco’s Mika Biereth (22) was not nominated.
|