MARSEILLE 2-3 PSG
Gignac 30,43
Matuidi 35
Marquinhos 49
Morel(OG) 51
The biggest game of the season so far in Ligue 1 was sure to be a cracker.With PSG hot on the tails of league leaders Lyon,a win would put them a point in front and making then clear favourites for the title.Bielsa’s Marseille are four points behind Lyon but a victory would move them in touching distance,possibly making it a two-horse race between Lyon and themselves.Both clubs have prepared intensely for the match,Marcelo Bielsa playing mind games early on,naming his starting 11 during the week.Laurent Blanc however,kept his cards closer to his chest,choosing not to reveal his line-up.
MARSEILLE
l’OM lined-up in what seemed to be a 3-3-3-1 formation but this varied throughout the game.In net was Steve Mandanda,protected by a back three of Fanni,Romao,Morel.In front of them were wing-backs Benjamin Mendy and Brice Dja Djedje and defensive midfielder Lemina.The attacking attacking midfielders were Payet,Ayew and Thauvin,the attack was spearheaded by Andre-Pierre Gignac in his last Le Classique.
Marseille Intense Pressing
Marseille’s man marking and intense pressing left then without a shape at times.In attack Dja Djedje and Mendy played as wing-back but when defending they moved infield,pressing Verratti and Matuidi.This left Payet and Thauvin to press the full-backs.
l’OM in Attack
l’OM created lots of overloads in the wide areas.Their attacking midfielders played on the side opposite to their strongest foot in the second half when they figured out PSG’s narrow defence.Thauvin and Payet would often cut inside and wait for the overlapping wing-back,this forced PSG’s full-back to follow the wing-back and allow the attacking midfielder to attempt an end product.
Long Passing to Start Attacks
Wing-backs Brice Dja Djedje and Benjamin Mendy were often forced to play as wide target men.If Marseille couldn’t make their way past PSG’s initial light pressure,the wing-backs would take up advanced positions on the flanks and make themselves a target for a long diagonal pass.Below you can see the large number of long passes out side by Marseille.
PSG
Laurent Blanc’s side lined-up in a 4-3-3.In front of goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu was an all-Brazilian backline from right to left of Marquinhos,Thiago Silva,David Luiz and Maxwell.The tremendous midfield trio of Motta,Verratti and Matuidi looked to dictate the tempo and proved the ammunition for forwards Cavani,Ibrahimovic and Pastore.
Narrow Parisian Defence
PSG’s defenders and forwards defended narrowly,the midfield the only line that pressed wide.This was to stop the threat of Marseille’s free roaming attacking midfielders.Wingers Cavani and Pastore pressed the non-central defenders while Ibrahimovic left the centre-back free,man marking Lemina instead.
Positive Subsitituion
The injury to David Luiz meant Marquinhos moving to centre-back with Gregory van der Wiel coming on at right-back.This was actually very positive for PSG as it gave another option on the right flank for them.Marquinhos being a centre-back naturally,played as a limited full-back or struggled to create when in advanced positions.Van der Wiel’s overlaps allowed Cavani to come inside more often and allowed the full-back to cross.
Exploiting the Press
PSG exploited Marseille’s almost reckless pressing and man marking.Ibrahimovic often dragged Marseille’s defensive line deeper than they’d have liked,to form space between l’OM’s defence and midfield lines.
MATCH STATS
SHOTS(on target):17(4)-14(7)
POSSESSION:46%-54%
CLEAR CUT CHANCES:3-5
CONCLUSION:
Le Classique proved to be a breathtaking encounter.Stade Velodrome’s electric atmosphere,both managers tactical brains ticking and two wonderfully gifted sets of players were just three of the factors which contributed to a terrific game.Bielsa’s love for high intensity pressing possibly cost his side the game.Blanc’s troops exploited this well but what disappointed was that l’OM players looked fatigued when on the ball due to their pressing.PSG set-up well tactically,looking to frustrate Marseille with deep possession.
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