Inside the Classique: why PSG’s squad depth, not brilliance, decided the night in Marseille

The result followed wins over Bratislava in the Champions League and Brest in Ligue 1, suggesting Paris’s season is finally gathering momentum. Yet the reigning double European champions were far from dazzling at the Vélodrome, where Marseille resisted until the final whistle.

Against a side with superior resources, Bruno Genesio’s players delivered another coherent and courageous performance, but they still left with a defeat — their fifth in six matches this season. The applause from the Marseille crowd at full time may have softened the blow slightly.

After four straight losses, including in the Europa League, and with the clash against their old Parisian rivals looking more one-sided than ever, Marseille had not exactly been gripped by Classique fever on Sunday.

The Vélodrome was not full, a few now-traditional banners opposing owner Frank McCourt were unfurled, and in a subdued atmosphere, Dimitri Payet — on hand to kick off proceedings — was the most applauded Marseille figure of the night.

— Dembélé off colour —

But this Marseille side, already in the relegation zone and second from bottom at kick-off, made a strong start, helped by a PSG performance that was distinctly uninspired.

Marseille, quickly deprived of the injured Paixao, chased the ball for long spells, of course. But it was a contest, because Paris did little with their possession.

The best chance of the first half was actually Marseille’s, with an effort that ended in a rather implausible miss from Neal Maupay (36th minute). Ousmane Dembélé then produced another glaring miss, with his head (42nd), and the attacking wastefulness was, curiously, shared.

At the break, the score was still 0-0 and the Vélodrome was once again proud of its OM.

After the restart, Dembélé, clearly not enjoying a great night, blasted a shot into the middle of the Virage Sud (53rd). Almost a year to the day, the PSG No.10 was celebrating his Ballon d’Or while OM beat 1-0 a PSG side whose minds were on the Théâtre du Châtelet.

The scenario might have repeated itself had Maupay not missed another huge chance (62nd), just before both coaches turned to their benches — which are hardly comparable.

— Gomes’s revenge —

On the Paris side, Luis Enrique brought on Ferran Torres, scorer in the World Cup final, while Genesio introduced Keyliane Abdallah and his 20 professional appearances.

Unsurprisingly, talent made the difference and Paris went ahead through their Spanish world champion: a perfect cross from Désiré Doué, a perfect run and a perfect header from Ferran Torres (1-0, 66th).

Marseille then had the courage to believe again and equalised through the much-criticised Angel Gomes, who scored at the end of a move initiated by a Dembélé turnover, under pressure from Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (1-1, 72nd).

But the Vélodrome’s hopes lasted only two minutes, enough time for Marquinhos, who cannot stop scoring, to convert a fine Nuno Mendes cross in two stages (2-1, 74th).

After that, Timothy Weah’s sending-off (76th) made life easier for the Parisians, who controlled the game without ever putting it beyond doubt.

With the international break approaching, Paris’s objective in October will be to climb further up the table and look a little more like a double European champion. There is time.

For Marseille, 17th in the league, there is no money, no bench and not many points either. They will have to find some.