OM-PSG: the leniency of the Vélodrome, Neymar the big loser… Favorites and scratches from our special correspondent


The show was more in the stands than on the field for the Marseillais. ERIC GAILLARD / REUTERS

Beyond the final result and the clear Parisian victory, find out what caught the attention of our journalist on Sunday, at the Vélodrome stadium.

Special envoy to Marseilles

FAVORITES

Mbappé, it’s too strong

A player who comes from another planet» for Igor Tudor, «the best striker in the worldsaid Christophe Galtier. “there is a PSG with and one without him» for Mattéo Guendouzi… Do not throw away any more: Kylian Mbappé splashed the Classic with his talent on Sunday evening. Forfeited during the match in the Coupe de France on February 8 (2-1 victory for OM), Bondy’s crack changed the game this time (3-0 victory for PSG), scoring twice – which allowed him to equal the Parisian record of Edinson Cavani – and offering an assist to Leo Messi, himself to be credited with two caviars. With his propensity to take depth and his technical accuracy, the 24-year-old prodigy confirmed what we knew: his mere presence gives absolutely everything a chance for PSG. Especially against a team like OM, which has not changed its philosophy and has given way. Mbappé too powerful.

SEE ALSO – Double from Mbappé, parades from Donnarumma … The summary of OM-PSG this Sunday (0-3)

The Vélodrome, it’s beautiful, it’s hot

Admittedly, the three Parisian goals and the renunciation of Marseille have tempered the atmosphere, already cool on the thermometer. Nevertheless, the Vélodrome was once again boiling before kick-off, at the start of the match and until the first stab by Mbappé. Big atmosphere, beautiful tifos. Above all, the Olympian fans understood that there was not much to deal with this PSG. No whistle, no bronca. On the contrary, the Velodrome greeted its warriors after the meeting. “We are very disappointed because it’s a Classic, we wanted to win it, especially since there was still a wonderful atmosphere, as always.“, plague Guendouzi, “not shot“.

Paris, content and form

As Marquinhos said at half-time, PSG had come to Marseille “to settle thingsafter the elimination in the Coupe de France. We saw. The Rouge et Bleu have finally put the ingredients, the grinta, the fighting spirit, the taste for effort. “It’s been a long time since I’ve seen them running so much», points out Tudor. Add to that depth with Mbappé and Nuno Mendes, a sovereign midfielder around the Vitinha/Verratti/Ruiz trio or the impassable Gigio Donnarumma, and you get a machine that looks great. “Obviously, the victory is important, but the way we played is just as important.», Analyzes coach Galtier. Is it here to stay?

CLAW STRIKES

Marseille says goodbye to the title…

… But not to his ideas. Igor Tudor had no intention of changing his tune to face PSG. He paid to see, his players never quite looking up to the task. Obviously, the Olympians will regret the chances at 0-0. But Paris was simply a notch above against an OM who gave the stick to be beaten. In any case, the Phocaeans (probably) said goodbye to the title on Sunday evening, they who are now eight points behind the Parisian leader in the Ligue 1 standings. However, we imagine that with a second place and a coronation in the Coupe de France , the Marseille people would be satisfied at the end of the season. Chick?

Neymar, the big loser?

The absentees are always wrong… One thing is certain: the absence of Neymar allowed Galtier to densify his environment, which was one of the keys to Parisian success on Sunday. Above all, this package has made it possible to see that with only two of the three stars of the “MNM”, it is much easier to find a balance, and this gives a second life to the three-defender system for which recruitment was thought out last summer. A major lesson. To see how Galtier will get out of this reality when the Brazilian leaves the infirmary. Especially since “Ney” has not really shone individually since the recovery, to put it mildly. Plenty is no plague ? Not sure…

The ghosts of the Paris transfer window resurface with the injury of Kimpembe

Back to the infirmary for Presnel Kimpembe. Forfeited for the World Cup, the 27-year-old titi returned to the field on February 10. Holder against Lille (4-3), he continued with a second rank tenure. And it only lasted a quarter of an hour. Victim of a ruptured Achilles tendon, “Presko” is out for the rest of the season. If he wants to continue with his three-man defense, Galtier will have to cross his fingers: he only has Marquinhos and Sergio Ramos as specialists for the position, with Danilo Pereira capable of troubleshooting well. Nordi Mukiele can also play right axis if necessary, even if he has to ensure number 2 on the right, behind Achraf Hakimi. There is also the option El Chadaille Bitshiabu, who has already shown good things from the height of his 17 years. Paris would in any case be better off with another experienced central defender, Milan Skriniar or another. White cabbage last summer, white cabbage again this winter. And now it’s up to Coach Galtier to compose, tinker and… pray.



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