Le Classique returns to Parc des Princes on Sunday with rare intrigue attached. Marseille arrive in the French capital chasing something they have not achieved in over a decade, consecutive Ligue 1 victories over PSG. Having edged the reverse fixture 1-0 earlier this season, Roberto De Zerbi’s side now have the chance to complete a league double and reassert themselves as genuine disruptors in the title race.
For Marseille, this fixture carries layers of significance beyond the table. De Zerbi’s position briefly came under scrutiny following their Champions League exit at the end of January, yet the Italian has weathered the storm and now finds himself on the brink of history. A win would make him the first Marseille manager since Didier Deschamps in 2009/10 to defeat PSG twice in a single league campaign, a feat rarely even threatened in the Qatari era.
The tension between these sides was already heightened earlier this year in the Trophee des Champions. Marseille came agonisingly close to backing up their league success when goals from Mason Greenwood and a Willian Pacho own goal nearly delivered another landmark victory. Instead, Goncalo Ramos struck deep into stoppage time to force penalties, denying Les Olympiens a first back-to-back win over PSG in all competitions in more than 10 years.
Still, the league context offers Marseille a fresh opportunity. Victory on Sunday would mark their first Ligue 1 double over PSG since 2011, and only the second time they have achieved it this century. It would also trim the gap at the top to six points, potentially opening the door for second-placed Lens to apply pressure should Luis Enrique’s side falter.
That said, Marseille’s challenge is undermined by inconsistency away from home. While they have taken points in key fixtures, their broader road record is uneven, with just two wins from their last five away matches in all competitions and only a 50% success rate on their Ligue 1 travels this season. Such margins leave little room for error when chasing a nine-point deficit.
For PSG, this is a fixture that demands authority. Luis Enrique’s side remain favourites for the title, but recent encounters with Marseille have shown that their domestic dominance is not unshakeable. With Lens lurking and the Champions League knockout phase on the horizon, the Parisians will be keen to restore order in a rivalry that has briefly felt less predictable.
PSG’s strength at the Parc des Princes, combined with their depth and experience in managing high-pressure occasions, remains a decisive factor. While Marseille have proven capable of frustrating and hurting them, sustaining that level over 90 minutes in Paris is a different challenge altogether. The Hard Tackle takes a look at how the clubs could line up on the night and what tactics they might employ.
Paris Saint-Germain head into Le Classique with a few notable selection concerns. Achraf Hakimi is ruled out through suspension following his dismissal last weekend, removing a key outlet on the right flank. PSG also have several fitness questions to resolve late in the week: Khvicha Kvaratskhelia is being monitored, while Fabian Ruiz continues to manage a knee issue and Quentin Ndjantou is recovering from a hamstring problem.
All three will be assessed closer to kick-off. There are no additional suspension worries beyond Hakimi’s absence. In attacking areas, Ousmane Dembele remains central to PSG’s plans. While his Ligue 1 goal tally stands at five, three of those strikes have directly decided matches, underlining his impact in tight contests.
The Ballon d’Or holder will again be tasked with providing penetration and unpredictability against a Marseille defence that has shown vulnerability away from home. On the opposite flank, Bradley Barcola continues to thrive at Parc des Princes; despite fewer decisive moments overall, no PSG player has scored more home goals this season. With eight goals in home fixtures, he trails Marseille’s Mason Greenwood by just three in the home scoring charts.
Tactically, PSG are expected to line up in a 4-3-3 formation, designed to dominate possession and stretch Marseille horizontally. Matvey Safonov should start in goal, providing distribution from the back. The defensive line is likely to feature Warren Zaire-Emery filling in at right-back in Hakimi’s absence, Marquinhos partnering Willian Pacho at centre-back, and Nuno Mendes operating from left-back with license to advance high up the pitch.
In midfield, Senny Mayulu is expected to offer physical presence and ball recovery, with Vitinha controlling tempo and progression through the middle. Joao Neves should complete the trio, contributing energy, pressing intensity, and late runs into advanced areas.
The forward line is set to include Desire Doue on the right wing, tasked with driving at defenders and linking play, Ousmane Dembele operating centrally as a mobile focal point, and Bradley Barcola starting from the left, where his pace and direct running have been particularly effective at home.
This setup reflects Luis Enrique’s preference for control through midfield dominance, with wide forwards providing the cutting edge, an approach PSG will rely on to assert authority in a fixture that has grown increasingly competitive.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Safonov; Zaire-Emery, Marquinhos, Pacho, Mendes; Mayulu, Vitinha, Neves; Doue, Dembele, Barcola
Marseille travel to Paris with relatively few selection issues, a welcome scenario for Roberto De Zerbi ahead of one of the season’s most demanding fixtures. The only significant fitness concern surrounds Nayef Aguerd, who is nursing a groin problem and will be assessed close to kick-off.
Aside from Aguerd’s situation, Marseille report no fresh injury setbacks and have no suspension issues to contend with, giving De Zerbi the luxury of continuity for Le Classique. Much of Marseille’s attacking focus will once again fall on Mason Greenwood, who has been their standout performer this season.
The forward has already scored 13 Ligue 1 goals, combining consistency at home with a strong away return. Greenwood has netted five times on the road, placing him joint-third among away scorers heading into Matchday 21, and his four match-winning goals underline his importance in tight contests. His ability to operate between lines and finish clinically makes him Marseille’s primary threat against PSG’s backline.
From a tactical perspective, Marseille are expected to set up in a 3-4-2-1 formation, prioritising compactness without sacrificing attacking ambition. Geronimo Rulli is likely to start in goal, relied upon for his shot-stopping and command of the penalty area. The back three should consist of Leonardo Balerdi on the right, Nayef Aguerd, fitness permitting, centrally, and Facundo Medina on the left, a trio chosen to balance aggression with ball progression.
In midfield, Timothy Weah is expected to operate as the right wing-back, offering pace and vertical runs, while Emerson Palmieri should fill the left wing-back role, tasked with providing width and defensive cover. The central midfield pairing is likely to feature Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, who brings structure and leadership, alongside Quinten Timber, whose ball-carrying ability and pressing energy help Marseille transition quickly through the middle.
Ahead of them, Ethan Nwaneri and Mason Greenwood are expected to operate as the two attacking midfielders, floating behind the striker and looking to exploit pockets of space between PSG’s midfield and defence. Leading the line, Amine Gouiri should start as the central forward, tasked with linking play, occupying centre-backs, and creating space for runners arriving from deeper positions.
De Zerbi’s intent will be to remain compact out of possession while retaining enough technical quality and attacking flexibility to threaten PSG on the break, with Greenwood positioned as the key figure capable of deciding the contest.
Probable Lineup (3-4-2-1): Rulli; Balerdi, Aguerd, Medina; Weah, Hojbjerg, Timber, Emerson; Nwaneri, Greenwood; Gouiri
Bradley Barcola’s influence at Parc des Princes has quietly become one of Paris Saint-Germain’s most reliable weapons. While he may not always dominate headlines, his output on home soil tells a compelling story: no PSG player has scored more Ligue 1 goals at the Parc this season, with eight strikes highlighting how comfortable he is in familiar surroundings.
Operating primarily from the left, Barcola thrives on space and timing rather than raw volume. His acceleration over short distances allows him to attack full-backs directly, while his off-ball movement consistently pulls defensive lines out of shape. Against a Marseille side likely to defend compactly and look to counter, Barcola’s ability to stretch the pitch could be decisive in creating gaps for runners arriving through the middle.
What elevates Barcola in fixtures like Le Classique is his composure. He rarely forces actions, instead choosing moments carefully, whether cutting inside to finish at the near post or arriving late at the back stick. With Ousmane Dembele drawing attention on the opposite flank, Barcola often finds himself in advantageous one-on-one situations, and PSG will look to exploit that dynamic on Sunday night.
If PSG are to assert control and turn territorial dominance into goals, Barcola’s movement and finishing in the final third may prove just as important as the marquee names around him.
Le Classique rarely follows a script, but the balance of factors leans toward Paris Saint-Germain at home. The Parc des Princes remains a difficult environment for any visiting side, and PSG’s depth, ball control, and attacking variety give them a natural edge, particularly in high-tempo fixtures.
Marseille arrive with confidence after winning the reverse fixture and possess enough quality, especially through Mason Greenwood, to trouble PSG in transition. However, their away inconsistencies and the physical demands of sustaining pressure in Paris make repeating that feat a significant challenge.
