PSG-OM: Paris trembles, but wins the Classic

PSG 2-1 OM

Goals: Neymar (11^and), Mbappe (45^and) for Paris // Ćaleta-Car (30^and) for Marseilles

There will have been a constant in Paris Saint-Germain’s matches this season: no matter the quality of the game that has been shown, the desire, the commitment and even the goals, even from the opponent, it is there always came a time when we started looking at the stopwatch and told ourselves that time was moving really slowly. This is, once again, the fate that has been reserved for this PSG-OM: a lively, exciting first period, with three goals; a soporific second act, drowned in a false rhythm that will not have given anyone pleasure. We will hardly remember the score: a small Parisian victory, of one goal, which corresponds to one more step towards 10^and title of champion of France in the history of PSG.

Paris got scared, a little

In a Park plunged into a sad silence to die for, the fault of a strike of encouragement which persists in the Auteuil bend, Paris and Marseille were therefore ready to surrender blow for blow. And it is the Parisians who attack first. Faced with a very tight Olympian block, 5 behind, PSG rotates while waiting for the opening like its handball section. He ends up finding it, through the air: magnificent lobed pass from Verratti, instant acrobatic recovery from Neymar who lobes Lopez, clinic (1-0, 11^and). Dominating in his garden, Paris does what he knows how to do best: put on the slippers and let the rhythm of the match reverse. Marseille opens more and tries, taking advantage of the Parisian feverishness behind, especially on a set piece. Half an hour of play, Marseille gets two corners in quick succession. On the second, Donnarumma gets a hole, and lets the ball land at the feet of Ćaleta-Car, who hadn’t asked for so much (1-1, 30^and).

A goal that has the merit of waking up Paris, and especially Neymar. The Brazilian is piqued in his pride, and disputes each ball like a starving man, as if he were one of the only people aware of the symbolism of a Classic. The Parisian opportunities are linked: Neymar, on a free kick (34^and), Mbappé, header (35^and), then Messi was denied a goal for an offside position at the start of the action (40^and). The wind turns just before the break: Neymar, again, carries a ball in the axis, near the Marseille surface, and the spade … in the direction of the elbow of Rongier. After checking the VAR, the referee designates the penalty spot. Kylian Mbappé responds present (2-1, 45^and).

A second act sponsored by the siesta

The debates remain open when the locker room returns. Neymar continues to put his grain of salt in this Classic, never hesitating to start a small scuffle when the opportunity arises, as on contact with Guendouzi. Marseille is struggling to get organized to get into the Paris area in the game, and fails to do much with its possessions. In front of the score, Paris therefore lets come, and unfortunately lets settle a false rhythm that nothing comes to disturb. A third goal disallowed for PSG for offside, this time signed Kylian Mbappé, brings the Park out of its torpor (75^and).

| – | #PSGOM #PSGOMxFreeIt’s over at the Parc des Princes! Tense & balanced match, won by the locals! The winning goals @PSG_inside are to be reviewed for free on the app #FreeLigue1 https://t.co/KiP2hgdzdh pic.twitter.com/lVxm8gz3WR

— Free Ligue 1 (@FreeLigue1) April 17, 2022

And then, the air conditioning: five minutes from the end, a Marseille free kick on the left side is brilliantly kicked by Payet, at the far post. The ball finds Saliba on the way down, who offered himself a remake of Thierry Henry’s goal against Brazil in 2006. Perfect flat foot, which pierces the ceiling of Donnarumma’s cage. 2-2? And no. The Marseille central, on loan from Arsenal, was out of play by a hair. Paris would have deserved a little call to order, but Paris can breathe. Mbappé and Donnarumma take their little yellow card for anti-game, Icardi is entitled to his anecdotal appearance, and we pack up.

PSG (4-3-3) : Donnarumma – Hakimi, Marquinhos, Kimpembe, Nuno Mendes – Danilo, Verratti (Ramos, 86^and), Gueye (Wijnaldum, 80^and) – Messi, Mbappe (Icardi, 90^and), Neymar. Coach : Mauricio Pochettino.

MO (4-4-2) : Lopez-Rongier (Lirola, 77^and), Caleta Car (Bakambu, 90^and), Saliba, Peres – Guendouzi, Kamara, Gerson, Gueye (Dieng, 80^and) – Under (Harit, 46^and), Payet. Coach : Jorge Sampaoli.