On Sunday 13 September, Les Parisiens and Les Marseillais will play each other in the 50th competitive Le Classique at the Parc des Princes.
49 encounters with history largely favouring Les Rouge et Bleu, with a record of 27 victories, 12 draws and 10 defeats, and an unbeaten run of 13 against OM. A good reason to open the memory books to look back at this unique clash, in eleven memorable chapters…
The first
12 March 1975, Paris Saint-Germain - Marseille 1-1 (League)
42,247 spectators, it's a record for Daniel Hechter's Paris Saint-Germain in the top flight. Marseille and their Brazilians, Paulo César and Jaïrzinho needed to win in order to maintain a glimmer of hope of being crowned Champions of France, but had to settle for a hard-fought draw, after falling behind from Mustapha Dahleb's acrobatic effort.
The most surprising
8 January 1978, Paris Saint-Germain - Marseille 5-1 (League)
Who could have hoped that Paris Saint-Germain, in the middle of a crisis after the departure of its Chairman Daniel Hechter, would stand a chance against Marseille, the league leaders? Les Parisiens surpassed all predictions: with a 5-1 victory, hit the woodwork on three occasions and missed a penalty, as they signed off the former Chairman's reign in style.
The most prolific
7 April 1979, Paris Saint-Germain - Marseille 4-3 (League)
Despite there being very little to play for at the end of the league campaign, the spectators wouldn't be bored during this one: 7 goals scored, plenty of action before the highlight of the evening, Carlos Bianchi's half-volley which flew into the back of Gérard Migeon's net.
The most symbolic
21 April 1990, Paris Saint-Germain - Marseille 2-1 (League)
Three days prior to the match, Les Marseillais had been knocked out by Benfica after a goal from Vata that shouldn't have stood because of a handball. But Bernard Tapie's side were to be disappointed once more as they came up against the Yugoslav duo of Susic-Vujovic: the former finding the latter with a free-kick in the dying stages of the match and Vujovic's header secured the victory for Les Rouge et Bleu. A goal scored in the 83rd minute, the cursed minute that Vata had scored in for Benfica brought tears to the eyes of all from Marseille…
The closest
17 December 1991, Paris Saint-Germain - Marseille 0-0 (League)
A first clash between the two sides battling it out for the title, and the first encounter for Canal Plus and Artur Jorge's Paris Saint-Germain against Marseille. The match didn't live up to expectations, with one foul after the other and the two sides left the field with a point apiece, but without a goal, despite David Ginola's first outing in Rouge et Bleu.
The most controversial
9 November 1997, Paris Saint-Germain - Marseille 1-2 (League)
Paris Saint-Germain, the league leaders faced Marseille for the highlight of the start of the season. The match turned on its head after an hour when Fabrizio Ravanelli was brought down in the box after a duel with Eric Rabesandratana. An extremely harsh penalty was awarded and it was converted by Laurent Blanc.
The most decisive
4 May 1999, Paris Saint-Germain - Marseille 2-1 (League)
Paris Saint-Germain had nothing left to play for at the end of the season, but wanted to give their supporters one last hurrah against their rivals from the south coast. After trailing for most of the match, Les Rouge et Bleu turned things around at the end of the clash, with goals for Marco Simone and Bruno Rodriguez. A defeat that bore heavy consequences for OM in their race with Bordeaux for the title.
The most Brazilian
26 October 2002, Paris Saint-Germain - Marseille 3-0 (League)
Ronaldinho delighted the Parc des Princes, with two goals (one free-kick and a penalty) and some exceptional skill against Les Olympiens. A win that was celebrated as it should be with Luis Fernandez's now famous dance.
The most electric
7 November 2004, Paris Saint-Germain - Marseille 2-1 (League)
The Paris supporters still hadn't digested the departures of Frédéric Déhu and Fabrice Fiorèse to Marseille just a few weeks earlier. Despite the sending off of Sylvain Armand, ten Paris players ensured the victory, with the goals falling to Pedro Miguel Pauleta and Edouard Cissé.
The quickest
2 March 2014, Paris Saint-Germain - Marseille 2-0 (League)
Lucas made his name in Classique history as Les Parisiens picked up another win, thanks to goals from Maxwell and Edinson Cavani: the Brazilian, who put in one of his trademark runs of over 76 metres, could have scored the most beautiful goal in Paris Saint-Germain-Marseille history. But the ball that was headed for the back of the net was turned away by Rod Fanni... An almost goal that will forever remain legendary for Les Rouge et Bleu.
The most unbalanced
27 October 2019, Paris Saint-Germain - Marseille 4-0 (League)
44 minutes were enough for Les Parisiens to destroy the Marseille defence: a brace for Mauro Icardi and Kylian Mbappé and Paris Saint-Germain went in at the break with a 4-0 lead, before comfortably controlling the visitors in the second half.
