That familiar winning feeling!
The match:
The Parc and its regulars were looking for a reaction as Paris entertained their great rivals to the Parc des Princes. And they got what they were looking for: a 25th Ligue 1 win of the season, a 15th in a row at home, and that special winning feeling over Marseille to boot.
As the legend goes, Le Classique is all fire and brimstone and it was Balotelli that fired the first shot in anger, forcing Areola to get down low to his left (2’). Thomas Meunier replied in kind for the home team with a missile that Mandanda tipped around the post (22’). The Paris squad were really getting into their stride when they were stunned by two injuries in quick succession as Dani Alves (31’) and then Meunier (33’) were forced out of the game… And in first-half stoppage time, Angel Di Maria superbly set up Kylian Mbappé to fire past Mandanda (1-0, 45+2’)! The world champion has now netted 26 goals in L1 this season, and in each of his last six outings and in each of his last three against OM…
But just 27 seconds into the second half, Germain equalised for Marseille after a misunderstanding at the back (1-1, 46’). But there was no time to cry over spilt milk and Di Maria fired Paris back in front with a stunning strike from an impossible angle down the right hand side (2-1, 55’)! Better still: Fideo burst through on goal again and forced Mandanda into a save… outside his box and the Marseille captain was sent off (61’), before curling home the resulting free-kick in off the post 28 metres (3-1, 66’)!
The Argentine settled this Classique in Paris favour, and not even Pelé’s penalty save to deny Mbappé could dampen the mood (90+4’). Paris are now 20 points clear of second-placed Lille, with a game in hand.
A man in the match: Angel Di Maria
Dribbler, assist provider, goal scorer: Fideo did it all! The Argentina international brought the Parc des Princes to its feet with an astonishing control before setting up Mbappé for the opening goal (45+2’). His clinical left-foot then did the rest with a brilliant double. Di Maria has now scored and assisted in the same match, three times in 2019 – more than any other player in Europe’s big 5 leagues.
The word: Classique
Paris Saint-Germain extended their record-breaking unbeaten run over Marseille to 19 matches against OM. Classique, since 2011. Like in 14 of their last 15 L1 matches against Les Phocéens, Les Rouge et Bleu scored at least twice. Classique, in the league. And finally, the French champions have won eight of their last nine home matches against OM. Classique, in the capital!
Coming up:
After 18 matches in 2019, the Paris Saint-Germain players can finally take a break… from club football at least, as the international break takes centre stage. The French champions return to action on 31 March away to Toulouse (14th in L1), before a midweek Coupe de France semi-final at home to Nantes…