OM-PSG: everything you need to know about Sunday's Classique at the Vélodrome

The Vélodrome hosts this Sunday evening the season's first Classique. Marseille want to lean on their crowd and their individual talents to shake PSG, who arrive with several players capable of turning the match around.

OM are going through a difficult period, with three consecutive defeats in Ligue 1 followed by a loss at Besiktas (4-1) in the Europa League. But Bruno Genesio refuses to go in already beaten.

'We have reasons to believe, otherwise there would be no point in stepping onto the pitch.'

The Marseille coach also explained that he had rewatched OM's 1-0 win over Paris last season, while stating that it was not necessary to reproduce the same defensive system.

Genesio, no stranger to upsets against Paris

The Marseille coach has particular experience against PSG. With Lyon and then Rennes, Genesio has beaten Paris six times in Ligue 1, including three times with each of his former clubs. He notably became the first coach to win at the Parc des Princes against PSG in the QSI era, with Rennes, in March 2023.

OM's weapons

Amine Gouiri, already the scorer of four goals in the league, will be the main threat inside the box. Alongside Igor Paixão, he can cause damage in the open spaces. In midfield, Pierre-Emile Højbjerg will need to provide solidity, while Nayef Aguerd will be responsible for containing Paris's attackers.

PSG and their attacking arsenal

Paris have several profiles capable of shifting the course of the match. Ousmane Dembélé remains a major danger with his speed and changes of direction. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia brings more creativity and interior play, while Ferran Torres, a scorer at Brest, can offer an additional presence inside the box.

In midfield, Vitinha and João Neves will have the task of pushing Paris into Marseille's half.

Luis Enrique's choice

One of the questions concerns the right side. Injured, Achraf Hakimi is unavailable for this Classique, which could push Luis Enrique to use Warren Zaïre-Emery at full-back, a solution already tried this season.

This choice would alter Paris's attacking play, particularly in the overlapping runs and combinations on that flank. Marseille will precisely look to exploit these spaces.

In a Vélodrome set to be scorching, the Classique will pit Paris's individual talents against an OM side counting on their key men, their crowd, and Genesio's experience against PSG.