PSG v Marseille: Line-ups, stats and preview for Trophee des Champions clash
Old rivals PSG and Marseille meet in Kuwait tomorrow. Read our in-depth preview here...
It was not a seamless first half of the season for European champions Paris Saint-Germain but they have the chance to add more silverware to their impressive recent haul tomorrow when they take on arch-rivals Marseille in the Trophee des Champions in Kuwait.
Luis Enrique’s men have been victims of their own success over recent months, a congested fixture list that included a run to the Club World Cup final over the summer resulting in a spate of injuries that have stunted their usual free-flowing game.
They went into the short Christmas break in second place in Ligue 1 behind Lens and remained there despite a 2-1 win over city rivals Paris FC at the weekend.
Luis Enrique is confident, however, that with most of the injuries clearing up, fans will see the real PSG over the next few months.
He said: “We know the difficulty of continuing to win trophies, but it is also a motivation. Tomorrow is a final, it’s a Classique and we know the importance of this match for our supporters. We are very motivated.
“We had a good rest during the Christmas holidays, we should see more or less the real PSG team tomorrow.”
One of PSG’s two league defeats this season came at Marseille in September but Luis Enrique insists revenge is not on his mind.
He added: “It’s another competition and you have to manage emotions well, be attentive to small details. There is no revenge, but we know the importance of this match for our supporters, the club and the team too.”
Marseille are third in Ligue 1, seven points behind PSG.
Roberto De Zerbi’s side come into the game after a surprise 2-0 defeat at home to Nantes on Sunday after having two players sent off.
De Zerbi said: “The match against Nantes was one of the worst but also one of the easiest to analyse. We talked at length with the players in recent days and we all admitted that nothing was going well tactically. It’s easier to turn the page. We must not fall into the controversies that are usually launched by people who do not have all the data.
“The tactical aspect is very important, but before that there are other things that are even more important. And if we don’t respect them, tactics take a back seat. PSG are the strongest team in Europe in my opinion. We respect them as we did during the last game we won. We will have to make sacrifices, defend and fight all together. We have the quality.”
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Team news for PSG v Marseille
Marseille will be without Bilal Nadir and Arthur Vermeeren following their red cards at the weekend.
PSG right-back Achraf Hakimi is at AFCON while Lee Kang-in is doubtful due to a thigh strain.
Predicted line-ups for PSG v Marseille
PSG: Chevalier; Zaire-Emery, Marquinhos, Pacho, Hernandez; Neves, Vitinha, Ruiz; Ramos, Dembele, Barcola
Marseille: Rulli; Pavard, Egan-Riley, Aguerd; Weah, O’Riley, Gouiri, Palmieri; Greenwood, Paixao; Aubameyang
How to watch PSG v Marseille: TV and online streams
PSG v Marseille kicks off at 6pm UK time tomorrow night. It will not be shown on UK TV but can be streamed via the Ligue 1+ app.
You can also watch it on the bet365 app.
Stats for PSG v Marseille
- If Marseille win, it will be the first time they have won successive competitive matches against PSG since 2011
- Marseille have not won the Trophee des Champions since 2011
- PSG are on a five-match unbeaten run in all competitions
- PSG have won 11 of their last 12 appearances in the Trophee des Champions
Prediction for PSG v Marseille
PSG
Marseille
PSG have too much quality for the bulk of teams in Europe. Marseille will fight hard but we can’t see them stopping the PSG juggernaut.
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