‘Marseille – PSG is not Classico’

Every football league in the world has at least one big derby, either between clubs who dominate the league (like Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund), or between city rivals (Inter Milan vs AC Milan). In France, the biggest one is without a doubt Olympique Marseille – PSG. There are bigger rivals in terms of longevity (or hatred) like Lyon – St. Etienne, but looking at the clubs and their magnitude, this is a true ‘Classique’. But looking at the results in recent years, this is not a derby anymore, it’s just constant humiliation for Marseille fans. If we look only the last 20 derbies (in all competition), the result is devastating for Olympique: only three draws, two wins, one in the Cup and one in the league and 15 defeats (currently five in a row).

Unlike PSG, who are owned by an independent (and wealthy) country (Qatar), Marseille is just a regular club and is owned by an American businessman (another new trend in European football) who cannot afford such crazy transfer sums like PSG. On top of that, some bad decisions in terms or coach and player selection made Olympique fight for thrid or fourth place and not first. Since the arrival of Roberto De Zerbi last season, Marseille was competitive again, but not when it comes to PSG matches. And De Zerbi is the first one to admit it.

"We want to compete with Paris better than we did last season. I'm not saying that PSG is bigger than OM. I'm saying that they've had more strength than OM so far. I'm not the one saying that. The Classico, in Italy, is Juve-Inter. Out of ten matches, four wins for Inter , five for Juve, and one draw. The Classico, PSG-OM, out of 23 matches, 19 wins for Paris, 3 draws and one win for OM, for me it's not a Classico. Afterwards, if you want to continue talking about the Classico, talk about the Classico. When we play against PSG, we want to win, we want to compete, but the truth is there. Paris last season was unbeatable, or almost" he admitted in an interview for L’Equipe.

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The Italian tactician probably knows that his team is not likely to win Ligue 1 title next season, but he wants to at least win against PSG and make them put more effort in order to win (another) title. And so far, he admitted that the sporting director had a great transfer window, making his team stronger than the last season.

“I like this transfer window, firstly because we have confirmed some very important players. Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Adrien Rabiot, Mason Greenwood, Leonardo Balerdi, and others who had possibilities, like Jonathan Rowe, who wasn't a starter but who is important to keep. Secondly, because we have taken two very strong young players, CJ Egan-Riley (22 years old) and Angel Gomes (24 years old), on free transfers. And Gabriel Medina, who is the right player for the Velodrome. And now, we still have a lot of things to do" said the Italian.