Team News, Injuries and the PSG vs Marseille lineup
Paris Saint‑Germain will be in Marseille on Monday night, but the squad isn’t at full strength. Bradley Barcola is out with a muscle issue, and both Désiré Doué and Ousmane Dembélé have been sidelined by recurring niggles. Joao Neves also missed training after a knock, leaving the manager with limited options up front.
On the defensive side, the Parisians are likely to stick with Lucas Chevalier between the posts. The back four should feature Achraf Hakimi on the right, Marquinhos as captain in the centre, and a partnership that could see either Willian Pacho or Ilya Zabarnyi slot in alongside him. Nuno Mendes remains the preferred left‑back, offering both pace and crossing ability.
Midfield will be anchored by the young French talent Warren Zaïre‑Emery, with Vitinha and Fabián Ruiz providing the creative spark and cover. Up front, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia is expected to replace Barcola on the left wing, while Gonçalo Ramos leads the line. The right flank could see Hakimi drift higher or a backup like Houssem Aouar being given a chance.
Marseille, guided by Roberto De Zerbi, have their own injury list. Geoffrey Kondogbia and Hamed Traorè are doubtful, which forces the hosts to rely heavily on their three‑centre‑back system. Goalkeeper Gerónimo Rulli is a safe bet, while the back three likely consists of Benjamin Pavard, Leonardo Balerdi and Nayef Aguerd.
The midfield quartet of Timothy Weah, Matthew O'Riley, Pierre‑Émile Højbjerg and Emerson will be tasked with feeding the attack, where Mason Greenwood, Amine Gouiri and Igor Paixão form a dangerous trio. Greenwood, with three assists already, is the league’s second‑best playmaker, and his partnership with Aubameyang gives Marseille a potent goal threat.
Form, Statistics and Tactical Preview
PSG enter the match on a perfect run – six wins in a row across all competitions. Their recent trips to the Vélodrome have been emphatic, racking up an 8‑0 aggregate scoreline over the last three visits. That kind of confidence often translates into controlled possession and early pressure.
Marseille sit seventh in Ligue 1 and have struggled to find consistency, dropping three of their last five outings. Still, they boast the third‑best attack in the league, having already netted nine goals. Their defence, conceding only four, is ranked among the top four, meaning the game could turn into a battle of firepower versus precision.
Key statistics underline PSG’s historical dominance: 27 wins, 5 draws and just 4 losses against OM in the overall head‑to‑head record. The Parisians have also won each of their last three clashes at the Vélodrome, suggesting a mental edge.
From a tactical perspective, PSG will likely look to exploit the space left by Hakimi’s forward runs, pulling Marseille’s right‑back out of position. The midfield trio of Zaïre‑Emery, Vitinha and Ruiz should overload the centre‑midfield area, limiting Højbjerg’s time on the ball. Meanwhile, Kvaratskhelia’s pace on the left could stretch the opposition back line, opening lanes for Ramos to make diagonal runs.
Marseille’s game plan hinges on quick transitions. Greenwood’s ability to cut inside and combine with Gouiri can create one‑on‑one moments against the PSG defence. If De Zerbi can keep the midfield compact and force the Parisians wide, the hosts may catch the visitors off‑balance with swift counter‑attacks.
Injury updates remain fluid. PSG will monitor Barcola’s rehab, while Doué and Dembélé’s return timelines are still unclear. Marseille hope that Kondogbia regains fitness before the match, as his experience would add stability to the midfield.
All things considered, the odds favour a PSG victory, but Marseille’s attacking threat ensures the contest won’t be a walk‑over. Fans can expect a tactical chess match, with both managers tweaking their line‑ups to maximise the limited resources at hand.
