The clasico has not failed in its reputation. Since it is, at least in the general unconscious, not a match like any other, the meeting between the best enemies in Ligue 1 kept its promises of singularity. This Sunday evening, in pouring rain, OM and PSG certainly did not deliver the most spectacular performance of their long rivalry. But this 107th shock in history will undoubtedly be remembered by supporters of both camps, especially for its ludicrous scenario.
If Luis Enrique's PSG achieved its 50th success in front of its favorite rival, it is because like MacGyver in its time, this Paris demonstrated that it had the gift of getting out of more than critical situations. Three months before the Marseille comedian Redouane Bougheraba, idol of the stands greeted by a giant tifo before kick-off, did his show at the Vélodrome, it was Mr. Bastien who was in fact responsible for doing his “ show” on the lawn.
Kylian Mbappé replaced and disappointed
A real success with the Marseille public since, called to order by the VAR, he saw the man in black inflict his first red on Lucas Beraldo in the Parisian jersey (38th). A severe expulsion, following contact on the shoulder with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, which at this moment of the game did not bode well for the Ligue 1 leader. With the exception of Kolo Muani's back cross propelled in the clouds by Ruiz (4th), his lost face-to-face with Lopez (29th) and Dembélé's fantastic rush spoiled by a loose shot (30th), it was the Olympians who had until then led the dance.
More in canes, fairer in their transmissions, more deliberate in impact and pressing, Jean-Louis Gasset's troops seemed to have found the solution to prevent Paris from going out with the ball.
But that was before the boss of the Parisian scene started playing the trigger, before Vitinha validated the fact that this Paris, renowned for its possession, is surgical when it comes to playing counterattacks. Three passes with Dembélé and a sprint later, the Portuguese scored his seventh goal of the season and showered a forbidden Vélodrome.
A state of mind that can be used against Rennes and Barcelona
The Marseille den only took pleasure when Kylian Mbappé, very far from his usual standards (28 balls touched), was replaced shortly after the hour mark under the whistles of the public, not without expressing a pout of annoyance . The Parisian captain's last clasico then saw Donnarumma play the impassable in his cage before Gonçalo Ramos also put on the executioner's hood. Like his compatriot in the midfield, it was at the end of a counter initiated by Hakimi and relayed by Asensio, that the Portuguese striker closed the scoring after three lightning passes.
On this Easter Monday, Paris will not have its bells ringing. Quite the contrary. With a twelve-point lead in the Ligue 1 standings, he is heading, as on the pitch, at great speed, towards his twelfth French champion title. Better yet, three days before its Coupe de France semi-final against Rennes, ten from the quarter-final first leg against Barcelona, Luis Enrique's team has trained for combat and demonstrated solidity and 'a foolproof state of mind. It is undoubtedly anything but a coincidence since Paris has not lost any of its 17 matches played in 2024. It is up to him to push the envelope even further.