FEATURE | Julien Laurens: ‘This bad run will stop tonight – Marseille will trouble PSG’ | OneFootball

It’s already September, and an early season Classique clash already awaits this season. France’s biggest rivalry will once again be in the spotlight, as Olympique de Marseille face off against Paris Saint-Germain at what will be a stormy Stade Vélodrome this Sunday evening. PSG remain unbeaten in Ligue 1 this season but arrive weakened, missing key attacking options, while Marseille look to end a miserable run that has seen them fail to score at home against their rivals since 2019.

French football expert Julien Laurens believes the omens point to a potential breakthrough for Les Olympiens in terms of their ability to get on the scoresheet against their rivals at the Vélodrome. “This bad run will stop tonight! OM will score and they have to take advantage of how weakened this Paris team will be. No Dembélé, Doué, Neves or Barcola to start, a day less to prepare and an incredibly hostile atmosphere will mean that Marseille will trouble the Parisians tonight. It will be a 2-2 draw,” Laurens told Get French Football News.Marseille were encouraged during their Champions League outing at the Santiago Bernabeu during the week, despite a 2-1 loss to Real Madrid. Meanwhile, PSG were in outstanding form against Atalanta when dismantling the Italian outfit 4-0 and beginning their Champions League defence with a win.Laurens did, however, back Luis Enrique’s belief that PSG are still reaching their ceiling. “Yes I believe him. I believed him the year before when he said it after Kylian’s departure and he was right. He will be right this time again. Collectively the team will keep improving as they play with more confidence, probably add a few new variations to their play, maybe even a back three. Individually, especially the younger ones – Doué, Neves, Mendes, Pacho, Chevalier – there is much more to come.”One of those younger players particularly excites Laurens. “I love Senny Mayulu, firstly because he is Paris born and bred and a pure product of the academy, secondly because he has so much potential. He can play pretty much everywhere in midfield or in the front three, has both feet, great energy and is a smart boy too. He will go far for sure and Luis Enrique is the perfect manager to take him to the top.”

Despite PSG’s dominance over the last 15 years, Laurens still feels that this season Marseille have one of their best opportunities to finally break their losing run in the rivalry. “I feel that Le Classique means as much for both clubs, players and fans. PSG’s ultra-dominance is painful for Marseille, but every time they are ready to finally end their bad run while the Parisians want to keep dominating.”Les Olympiens went through a major phase of change during the final days of the summer transfer window after Adrien Rabiot departed the club following a dressing room altercation with teammate Jonathan Rowe. De Zerbi’s squad has had to be bolstered with experience, including 2018 World Cup winner Benjamin Pavard, as well as West Ham pairing Emerson Palmieri and Nayef Aguerd.

“This year is probably the best chance they’ve had in a long time, despite losing Rabiot. If you are a fan of either club, you still have butterflies in your stomach the day of the Classique. It’s the game everyone wants to watch – including non-PSG or OM fans. It’s the biggest game of the Ligue 1 season, so let’s hope they make it a great one… and that PSG win, of course!”GFFN | Luke Entwistle & George Boxall