OM-PSG Preview (Part Deux)

By: Sarah | November 19th, 2009

classico-paris-marseille

UPDATE: New information regarding the lineup has been tossed around in the press– see below!

The rest of the world may be focusing on the World Cup Playoffs and the “hand of Henry” (and the impending re-play drama) but let’s not forget the biggest game in the Ligue 1 is happening this tomorrow (Friday, 11/20)! While everyone else is preparing for their week 14 game this weekend, we will be hoping to get our 10th game finally under our belt. Though, don’t feel too bad for the Classico being slightly overshadowed– after all the first attempt to play offered us lots of gossip, speculation and controversy after the first game was called off by the LFP a mere few hours before kick-off time. After a week of accusations and temper tantrums (and no, I’m not referring to Hatem’s tantrum yet), both teams finally agreed up on the Friday after the play-offs.

And, now on to the new developments in Marseille since the last preview…

Match Background

Since the original game date, OM have failed to beat 10-men Toulouse (despite have an extra man for over 80 minutes), crushed Zurich 6-1 and only managed a draw with Lyon despite winning 5 goals (okay, we only scored 4– thanks again Toulalan!). Our international break friendly was hardly inspiration either– a mere 2-2 draw with Arle Avignon. So, against one of the best team in France and another European team we can get 8 in the back of the net (and even get them to score 3 against themselves) — but against a Ligue 2 team we can barely muster 2. If there was a trophy out there for inconsistency, OM would be in good shape to win it!

Despite my obvious bitterness, overall, I’d say our form is even better than at the time of the first scheduled game.

PSG has also managed to find some light since their descent into the depths of the table and have managed to claw their way up to 12th place. They’ve managed to get their squad swine flu-free and even managed to a great 4-1 win against Sochaux. Unfortunately, three good things in a row were just too much for Les Parisians, and they immediately succombed to 1-0 loss to Nice in the last League game.

That being said, OM are definitely vulnerable at the back (the only consistency we have managed this season is our consistently shoddy defense) and PSG definitely have a few players on their roster that can make us pay is we slack off on our defensive positioning and marking. This becomes even more true in big, passionate games such as this- OM’s ability to focus and stay level-headed will be the key to winning this game.

Team News

Marseille

The good news is that all of our players have returned from international duty, we don’t have any serious new injuries to speak of and we may get some players back.

OM.net has listed the following players as out: Rool (knee), Riou (rib), Rodriguez (ankle), M’bow, N’Doumbou, Osei.

The website also lists Deschamp’s 20 players to receive Paris at the Velodrome tomorrow.

Goal: Mandanda, Andrade
Defenders: Bonnart, Bocaly, Hilton, Diawara, Taiwo, Heinze
Midfielders: Mbia, Cisse, Kabore Cheyrou, Abriel, Lucho, Ben Arfa, Valbuena
Strikers: Niang, Koné, Brandao, Morientes

Take a look at that list again, and for good measure check out the original just to verify that I didn’t doctor the list. That’s right people, BEN ARFA! Now that I’m done gloating, I’ll be rational enough to admit that he probably won’t play– can you imagine the backlash? Even though HBA might deserve the boos and whistling, the rest of team don’t deserve that type of distraction in a game like this.

Some of the papers have been reporting some slight problems with Kone so I start on the bench. Lucho might also get a chance to play, but Deschamps might want to save them both for Milan– especially Lucho, after all, who knows how long he will remain uninjured this time? Other than those two players, I expect Deschamps to field a strong team tomorrow despite having to plan in Milan on Wednesday. Afterall, losing this game is not an option– we are sitting 8th in the table and frankly, even drawing with Paris is beneath us.

Update: Some papers are reporting that Diawara will be benched because of his poor performance record so Heinze may be pushed to the center and Taiwo will take the left-back position. I’m all in favor or Taiwo getting a first team place, I just wish it was at Heinze’s expense instead of Diawara’s. There are also reports that Lucho will start, which basically means Valbuena is out. For some reason, all the players I like seem to be Deschamp’s cast offs– Valbuena, Ben Arfa, Taiwo and now Diawara– ugh!

Expected Line-up: Mandanda, Heize, Hilton, Diawara Taiwo, Bonnart, M’bia, Abriel, Cheyrou, Valbuena Lucho, Brandao and Niang

Paris Saint-Germain

Unlike Deschamps, Kombouare will have to contend with both suspensions and injuries when picking his squad. First, his captain Makelele is out through suspension. I know some people say he is is past it, but I have to disagree. He is just the type of player that could bring a big game mentality to PSG. I’m relieved he won’t be playing against OM, but I’m always sad not to see him play. In addition to Makelele, Hoarau is also confirmed to be out until 2010.

Expected Line-up: Coupet, Ceara, Traore, Sakho, Armand, Chantome, Clement, Giuly, Sessegnon, Luyindula and Erding

Prediction

OM will win 2-1. Like I said, this is a big, passionate match and Marseille won’t want to lose this one in front of their supporters (that loss last year hurt so much!). Our home form has been atrocious, but I’m looking forward to Deschamps and the team breaking that curse this weekend. If we lose, I predict it will be because of some failure on our part rather than some stroke of genius from PSG. Without Makelele, PSG have little chance of winning this game on their own– he brings a sense of control and experience that they lack without him.