The Olympique de Marseille started its championship season on a brilliant note by crushing Lorient 4-0 at the Vélodrome, after a start to the season in the teeth of a saw. The team, galvanized by a transformed penalty and the expulsion of an opposing player, demonstrated impressive collective mastery, notably thanks to Benjamin Pavard’s first tenure and a superb flight of Angel Gomes. The new recruits have been particularly brilliant, contributing to a global domination where OM has retained more than 70% of possession and almost inviolated defence. This victory, the fifth at home in a row in Ligue 1, reinforces the team’s confidence before a crucial week that will see them face Real Madrid in the Champions League and Paris Saint-Germain in the championship.

Paris Saint-Germain, in preparation for an attractive Classic against OM, is preparing to face a busy week with a trip to Lens in Ligue 1 and a Champions League match against Atalanta. Despite being an outsider on paper, the match against OM is seen as the real challenge for Luis Enrique, especially since the PSG will be deprived of key players such as Dembélé and Doué. OM, for its part, tackles this shock with confidence regained after his victory against Lorient and the ambition to make a nice impression in the Champions League against Real Madrid. The Velodrome stadium should be boiling for this duel between two rivals.

Kylian Mbappé, the Real Madrid attacker, expressed his enthusiasm as the game approached OM, stressing his special relationship with the Marseille club, against which he often shone during his visit to Paris Saint-Germain. He also highlighted the importance of finding French teams in the Champions League and the excitement of playing Bernabéu, evoking positive memories. This statement reflects Mbappé’s confidence and motivation, which is in excellent shape this season. For OM, this shock at Bernabéu represents a major challenge, facing a formidable player and a confident Madrid team.