Marseille will face Paris Saint-Germain this weekend in a highly anticipated French football fixture that is set to highlight the growing gap between the two rivals, both on and off the pitch.
Since the Qatari takeover in 2011, PSG has dominated French football, and the disparity between the capital club and the rest of Ligue 1 has only become more pronounced in recent months. Under the guidance of Luis Enrique, PSG have been unstoppable, especially at home, and they continue to impress on the European stage. Their Champions League last-16 victory over Liverpool, secured on penalties, showcased their resilience, a quality that had previously eluded them in such high-pressure moments.
Currently, PSG sits comfortably at the top of the Ligue 1 table, holding an impressive 16-point lead over second-placed Marseille. Should PSG win this weekend, they will stretch that lead to 19 points, potentially sealing another Ligue 1 title before the end of March. With a quarter-final Champions League tie against Aston Villa on the horizon, PSG’s dominance seems set to continue.
For Marseille, the task is more about securing a strong finish to the season and qualifying for the Champions League, a competition they are absent from this year. Despite their impressive form under Roberto De Zerbi, Marseille has slipped in recent weeks, losing two of their last three matches. The absence of midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, who is injured, will further complicate their chances in this upcoming clash.
Although Marseille has been solid for most of the season, PSG’s financial and footballing might remain a significant barrier. The Marseille squad, bolstered by the goals of Mason Greenwood and the leadership of Hojbjerg and Adrien Rabiot, has shown promise, but the club’s instability, including controversial comments by president Pablo Longoria, has added to their challenges. Longoria’s 15-match ban for accusing referees of corruption after a defeat to Auxerre has not helped the team’s focus.
Marseille, who lost 3-0 to PSG in October, have only beaten PSG once in their last 25 Ligue 1 meetings, with the Parisians enjoying a remarkable unbeaten record against their rivals since 2011.
“We need to stick together and maintain confidence in ourselves to prepare for Paris and the other matches we have to come,” said De Zerbi. “We are going to have to roll up our sleeves and fight until the end to fulfil our objective.”
