Marseille’s Jérémy Morel and Parisian Jérémy Ménez meet again on Sunday
OM and PSG clash on Sunday at the Vélodrome for the first Clasico of the season, playing for the position of leader of the Ligue 1.
Lying at the head of the championship after an impressive series of six victories in seven encounters, Olympique Marseille however only have a three-point lead on their Parisian rivals, who have a better goal difference.
After the routing they suffered in Valenciennes last weekend (4-1 defeat), the Olympians were able to come back with an impressive 5-1 win over AEL Limassol on Thursday night at home in the Europa League.
Loïc Rémy scored a brace against the Cypriot outfit, and is now impatient and spoiling for a fight with his sworn enemy.
“This type of match motivates me, that’s for sure, I can’t wait to be there and to feel the atmosphere all around us, the build-up to the match and all the rest,” confided the Marseille striker after their win against Limassol.
Elie Baup’s men might be aware of the difficulties that await them against an adversary of this calibre, but they seem not to be beaten before the outset.
“For me, it is as big as a Champions League match. A difficult match for sure, but not insurmountable. Paris get a lot of praise, but they are a team with a lot of individuals and who have some difficulties as a collective. We will be relying on our collective strength,” added Rémy.
Paris Saint-Germain have enjoyed four consecutive wins in the Ligue 1, but have just been defeated in Porto 1-0 in the Champions League.
This Clasico has come at just the right time for Carlo Ancelotti’s protégés, who hope to bounce back as quickly as possible after their first defeat of the season.
And just like the Marseille team, they cannot wait for the action to begin.
“I have never played against Marseille before, but I have heard people speaking about it, and I can’t wait for the match,” revealed the star of PSG, Zlatan Ibrahimovic on Eurosport.
And for the Parisian coach, his mission is clear: “For everybody, a win for PSG is obligatory, for the whole of France, we have to win,” stated Carlo Ancelotti.
Over 78 clashes, Olympique Marseille have won the Clasico 33 times, for 28 defeats and 17 draws, and Paris Saint-Germain have only won it eight times at the Stade Vélodrome.