→ Mason Greenwood
From a sporting point of view, and purely sporting, Mason Greenwood made his debut at Olympique de Marseille. Author of six goals and an assist in eight league matches, the Englishman meets the expectations of his employers. However, these performances still require some guarantees. In fact, five of these six pawns were registered in August, during the first three days. Figures all the more to put in a favorable context, since – Reims aside – Greenwood mainly scored against the current weak links of Ligue 1 (double in Brest and Toulouse, goal in Montpellier, all three in the second half of the ranking). Facing Lyon or Nice, an opponent of another caliber, the former Manchester United player showed himself to be a notch below and remained silent on the four Marseille outings preceding the international break – coinciding with a period of collective lows. His coach, Roberto De Zerbi, sent the message clearly: “I expect even more from him. He's a different player from the others, he's really very good, but he can be even more complete, even more of a team man. » Against Paris, the one who wears 10 will therefore clearly have to play the leading roles and assume their status.
→ Roberto DeZerbi
Greenwood's fluctuating form in recent weeks is in reality only a reflection of the overall dynamic at OM. At the head of this, Roberto De Zerbi. Praised for the game developed at the start of the campaign, the Italian stammered his tactics somewhat at the beginning of October, suffering a defeat without revolt in Strasbourg (1-0), then a draw, again lethargic, in front of Angers at home (1- 1). Nothing alarming, obviously, but a good reminder when welcoming PSG. With OL as an example. Outnumbered and led in Lyon, the Marseillais managed to reverse the trend (2-3), led by the offensive desires of a coach who was not shy when bringing in Pol Lirola, Neal Maupay and Jonathan Rowe (Lirola and Rowe scorers), despite the opposing waves. Faced with Paris, we will have to be just as faithful to our principles and not give in to the sirens of caution. Roberto De Zerbi's season can most likely start this Sunday.
→ Adrien Rabiot
The return match at the Parc des Princes certainly promises more, but the appetizer planned at the Vélodrome is already salivating. Titi scorned, Adrien Rabiot is preparing to definitively change. By donning the white tunic and applauding the Marseille public as they come out for the warm-up, the midfielder will certainly think of the dark looks and other unwelcome thoughts from the Parisian supporters behind their screen. Logical, when you are the first player trained at PSG to join OM since Lorik Cana in 2005. On the pitch, Rabiot also has a lot of expectations on his shoulders. So far, nothing to titillate, but enough to arouse curiosity. Left free since his departure from Juventus last summer, the torchbearer has spent the last month and a half without activity, after a mixed Euro, and has been slowly getting back on track for three games. To better get along with your ex.
→ Supporters
The scene is seen again and again, but it always remains special. Each match preceding the Classic, PSG supporters provoke those of OM by singing various songs in romantic and flowery language. If this time, homophobia occupied a large place in the Parisian poems, the response from their Marseille counterparts is greatly awaited. Between the presence of Rabiot, the sporting challenge and the simple rivalry, all the ingredients are indeed there for the corners to start singing. Especially since in recent years, they have had too few opportunities to do so – Marseille's last home victory dates from February 2023 in the quarter-finals of the Coupe de France (2-1), and before This goes back to November 2011 (3-0 success). Above all, the stands of the Vélodrome have the unfortunate tendency to quickly go dark when their team is trailing. Like Greenwood or De Zerbi, we will therefore have to be consistent.
→ The Longoria-Benatia duo
They wanted recruitment “ international “, they got it. They wanted a coach who loved the game, and they got him. Pablo Longoria and Medhi Benatia therefore have no more excuses. Neither an excuse for quality, nor an excuse for quantity of players. They will simply have to confront this reality that they themselves have constructed. With control over the transfer window and sporting management, the duo – in consultation with the coach – is indeed playing part of their project against PSG. Supposed to be the symbol of Marseille's revival in its quest to qualify for the Champions League, the leading pair will pass the Parisian test with glory or crash. Because the short-term policy – made up of loans and short contracts – put in place recently has never worked, and is now awaiting a triggering event to transform into a lasting project. The Classic is also a behind-the-scenes story, and we're not just talking about the corridors, Mr. Benatia.
Homophobic chants: OM warns its supporters before the Classic
