Olympique de Marseille v. Paris Saint-Germain: Your guide to the big ‘un

By: Sam | February 3rd, 2007

Trust me, when Paris Saint-Germain come to town to go up against Olympique de Marseille at Stade Vélodrome, aliens could land next door to the stadium and open a corn on the cob stand without anybody noticing. They’d be taking second place to the always classic showdown going on inside the best Boulevard Michelet has to offer.

I’m telling you this because I have experienced first hand the festivities of a OM-PSG. I had the chance to assist to Marseille’s 1-0 edging of their archrivals in October of 2005 with my dad, and let me tell you, it was something unforgettable. If Jackass ever wants to shoot another movie, they’ve only to walk in front of Stade Vélodrome sporting a PSG shirt.

Phrases such as “Parisien, va niquer ta mère!”, “Paris, Paris, on t’encule!”, “Les parisiens c’est des pédés!”, “Nique le PSG!” are more common on OM-PSG gamedays than please and thank you.

But to tackle the professional side of the game, the players, coaches and staff do their best to stay cool about the whole thing and stress the importance of “keeping the competition within the confines of the pitch” or anysuch nonsense, but as long as no one dies, it’s no secret that even the most respected people related to both clubs love the showdowns between supporters and innocent bystanders as the tension mounts before kick-off.

Historically, Marseille has had an easier time prevailing at home in the classico, clearly stated in the archives with OM winning seventeen times and Paris winning no more than four since these two played for the first time on October 5, 1974, resulting in a 4-2 win for the home side. In the past five years however, they’ve split it with two wins apiece and a draw. PSG humbled the hosts in 2003, breaking their spirit with a 3-0 victory, thanks in part to a guy named Ronaldinho. Last year, it was Marseille’s turn to cheer when Lorik Cana, who had just recently been transfered from Paris to Marseille, headed in un unlikely goal to give his new club the win.

And who can forget the final of the Coupe de France last season, with Paris hushing the favourites Marseille, off two magnificent goals from Dhorasoo and Kalou. Believe me, OM fans are still stinging from that defeat.

Earlier this year in Paris, it was also Marseille who had the upper hand, and aided by an unreal Franck Ribéry, beat PSG 3-1. Note: Five penalties were awarded during that match.
1. Niang got an iffy call and buried his penalty in the fifth minute
2. Nope. Try again, Niang. Tell your players not to come into the box. Okay, says Niang, and hits it perfectly again.
3. Niang, in the middle of things again, this time pulls Traoré down in his box. Pauleta steps up, Carrasso denies him.
4. Mr. Bré, in need of an optometrist appointment, awards Pauleta a retry for a phantom OM player walking into the box. The Port makes no mistake this time.
5. Mario Yepes goes two feet into Niang. Undeniable penalty. Young Nasri takes aim, and it’s stopped. Fortunately for him, he follows through and slides in the rebound.

Let’s just hope this one doesn’t feature the referee over the players themselves. One thing is for sure, it’ll be a spectacle and I’ll be providing you with mucho commentary about the game, the fans and everything in between.