Marseille-Paris: The Big Five-O at the Vélodrome

It's a symbolic match for Les Rouge et Bleu, who will be travelling to Marseille for the 50th time in their history.

While the home side's record against Paris is still in their favour (23 wins, 10 draws and 16 defeats), the gap has narrowed since 2012, with seven Paris wins, three draws and a single defeat.

The momentum will continue on Sunday evening at the Stade Vélodrome, and it's an opportunity to look back at nine of the most memorable moments from Paris's travels to Marseille over the years.

The first victory, on 29 July 1974, Marseille-Paris 1-4

This is not the best-known match between Paris and Marseille, and it is the only friendly between the two teams. Paris, who had just moved up to the top flight, spoiled the party organised for the debut of Brazilian star Paulo Cesar and won 4-1, to the whistles of the Vélodrome.

Biggest victory, 26 February 2017, Marseille-Paris 1-5

Paris Saint-Germain quickly took the lead when Brazilian duo Thiago Silva (assist) and Marquinhos (goal) converted before a gem of an assist from Javier Pastore set up Edinson Cavani to score Paris's second goal. It ended in a 5-1 victory for the Parisians, who had scored five goals with 20 minutes remaining in a stadium long deserted by Marseille fans.

The most consequential victory, on 21 May 1988, Marseille-Paris 1-2

Paris, second-bottom in the league, travelled to Marseille, a declared candidate for Europe, and pulled off a feat by winning at the Vélodrome. Goals from Safet Susic and Gabriel Calderon gave the club a lifeline in the race to stay in the top flight, with a narrow 0-1 win at Le Havre in their final game of the season.

The 10-man victory, 6 October 2013, Marseille-Paris 1-2

Marseille opened the scoring in the 32nd minute and Paris lost Thiago Motta, who was sent off for the tackle that led to Ayew's successful penalty. But Paris Saint-Germain dug deep and managed to turn OM around, Maxwell equalising before the break and Zlatan Ibrahimovic converting from the spot following a foul on Marquinhos. It was a precious victory for the Parisians, who showed courage and team spirit right up to the final whistle.

The most Brazilian of victories, Marseille-Paris 0-3, 9 March 2003

Ronaldinho had promised his friend Jérôme Alonzo, a former Marseille player and Paris goalkeeper, on the morning of the match: he was going to make Paris win at Marseille to please him! And what a performance from Ronnie, who scored and set up Jérôme Leroy's goal at the end of a match in which the Brazilian player left the Vélodrome faithful speechless with admiration for such talent.

The latest victory, on 30 November 2003, Marseille-Paris 0-1

The most surprising victory, 26 October 2008, Marseille-Paris 2-4

Paris, with new signings Guillaume Hoarau, Ludovic Giuly and Claude Makélélé, were in the process of rebuilding before facing Marseille, who were contenders for the league title. Les Rouge et Bleu had not won at the Véodrome since 2004, but they dominated OM, with Guillaume Hoarau scoring twice. The three points would be sorely missed by Marseille, who were trailing Girondins de Bordeaux in the league... by three points.

The draw that was worth a win, 22 October 2017, Marseille-Paris 2-2

An even match between the two teams and a defeat that was getting closer for the Parisians, who trailed by a goal and were reduced to ten men following Neymar Jr's dismissal. A final Parisian free-kick, more than two minutes into stoppage time, and Edinson Cavani equalised in front of a hushed Stade Vélodrome. It was a draw with all the trappings of a win, and it continued their a 15-match unbeaten run against Marseille - a run that wouldn't come to an end until September 2020 with a grand total of 20 matches without the slightest defeat (17 wins and 3 draws).

The last victory, on 26 February 2023, Marseille-Paris 0-3

What a display from Paris in Marseille in the last match between the two teams at the Vélodrome! The duo of Kylian Mbappé (2 goals, 1 assist) and Lionel Messi (1 goal, 2 assists) helped the Parisians to a convincing win over Marseille who. heading into the match, were second in Ligue 1 behind Paris Saint-Germain.