Paris (AFP)
A match of prestige, but which does not reserve any more of surprises: the PSG, with its planetary stars and its financial superpower, has not lost any more against its rival Marseille since 2011. This Sunday (21:00) with the Parc des Princes, the Will OM finally manage to beat the odds?
Confusion of impotence or com 'formula to relieve his players of the pressure: by entrusting last week that PSG-OM "does not count" in his eyes as the two teams do not box in the same category since the beginning from the Qatari era, André Villas Boas shocked some Olympian fans.
Given the black series over the last ten years - Marseille had 13 defeats in 20 L1 matches, for only 3 draws and 4 wins, all won before 2012 -, however difficult to contradict the Marseille coach.
"When you play a + clasico +, usually Porto-Benfica or Barça-Real, sometimes one wins, sometimes another, but in Ligue 1 this + clasico + -là is history. ten years ago, there was a billion euros difference investment.Now the difference between teams is abysmal, "he said Friday in a press conference.
"But we're not going to Paris to participate in the PSG party, you go with your weapons, you defend, you wet the jersey.There are teams with less budget than us who come to the Vélodrome, who dream, and sometimes win, we will dream too, and we will try to win, and above all I want to say that we have nothing to lose, "he added.
- Mbappé on its way? -
Given the form displayed by the PSG since the beginning of the season, there is indeed no incentive for optimism. While Reims managed to create the feat by winning 2-0 at the Park in late September, but the men of Thomas Tuchel have especially outperformed Real Madrid (3-0) in the same forum.
"It's a match with a great history in France, it's absolutely necessary that we respect it, especially for our fans because it's important for them," said the Paris coach, who does not hear to estimate the symbolic significance of this match, even if he "understands" the remarks of his Marseilles counterpart.
With the return to the fore Kylian Mbappé, author of the first treble of his career in the Champions League against Club Bruges (5-0) on Tuesday, and the brilliant form of the Argentine duo Mauro Icardi - Angel Di Maria, his new offensive trident "DIM "is scary.
"Controlling Kylian is hard," Villas Boas admitted on Friday. "I think everyone agrees that Kylian is progressing to be the natural successor of Cristiano (Ronaldo) and (Lionel) Messi".
Only the Paris infirmary can give the Marseillais a chance to hope. Still deprived of Neymar, Thilo Kehrer, and Idrissa Gueye, still injured, PSG lost Thomas Meunier Tuesday in Bruges, while Julian Draxler, long-term absentee, is finally "available".
- Return of Payet, first for Benedetto -
To succeed the exploit, the OM will especially count on his master to play Dimitri Payet, returning from a long suspension, and his striker Dario Benedetto.
Accustomed to the overheated atmosphere of the Argentine "Superclasico", the former striker Boca Juniors is asked to shine for his first PSG-OM. Author of 5 of 12 Marseille goals this season, "Super Dario" is highly anticipated.
"He's dangerous, he's a real striker, he plays with a lot of confidence, always for the team, he's very complete, it's very difficult to defend on him because we feel he still wants to score or do a decisive pass, we will be very attentive, "warned Thomas Tuchel.
To repel the onslaught of the "DIM", Villas Boas should not start in defense Jordan Amavi, suffering with his performances and the public Marseille, although, as in recent years, no supporter Marseille is allowed to make the move in the capital.
If Hiroki Sakai and Bouna Sarr should occupy the corridors, uncertainty remains for the hinge. "AVB" prefers the pair Boubacar Kamara-Alvaro Gonzalez, but it is not sure that the Spaniard is sufficiently recovered from his fibula a fibula for such a match.
Especially in front, Mbappé, Di Maria, or Cavani have only one idea in mind: extend the series of unbeaten against the great Olympian rival, unable to win since November 2011. An eternity.
© 2019 AFP