PLAYER RATINGS | MARSEILLE 1-0 PSG – Nayef Aguerd header seals Classique victory for OM | OneFootball

Olympique de Marseille finally lifted their Classique curse, edging Paris Saint-Germain at the Vélodrome to create history and against Parisiens for the first time in Ligue 1 since 2011. Nayef Aguerd came with his second goal of the season to seal a historic win over their bitter rivals.THE MATCHLast night’s postponement only gave more added intrigue to France’s biggest rivalry, with Les Parisiens having to travel back to Paris before returning to the city 24 hours later. If the storm had passed by Monday morning, it would only be beginning by kick-off at the Vélodrome in the evening. Roberto De Zerbi’s men immediately pressed a new look back five high up the pitch. OM then raced into the lead, profiting off an error from Lucas Chevalier as Aguerd rose highest to nod past the Frenchman and tear the roof off the Vélodrome (4′).

PSG would then start to impose their passing game minutes later, but OM managed to dig in and had some interesting moments on the counter-attack through Greenwood and Paixao. For the first time, OM looked somewhat defensively resilient with Aguerd and Pavard bringing some key experience to the back three. PSG did threaten though, Balerdi had to make a recovering tackle on Ramos after Matt O’Riley was dispossessed in a compromising position. Rulli was needed after Fabian Ruiz was played in-behind, and the Argentine swooped in to parry the ball away just in time from the Spaniard. Then, Amine Gouiri was found on the edge of the box, and the Algerien. Kvaratshkelia’s strike was just wide of Rulli’s post, but OM were looking comfortable by the break as Paixao went close from a long free-kick just before the whistle.OLYMPIQUE DE MARSEILLE PLAYER RATINGS

Géronimo Rulli – 6

Leonardo Balerdi – 7

The Argentine was not at ease in the opening minutes, an error almost let Gonçalo Ramos into the box, but he made up for it with a great intervention minutes later on Ramos. He then grew into the second period, much as he did against Real Madrid just days earlier – often more assured, calmer, serene in his interventions.

Timothy Weah – 7

An absolutely exceptional first half from the American once again, who was key in OM’s pressing from the first minute. On the ball he was also excellent and provided an effective outlet down the right side, combining well and naturally with Mason Greenwood.

Benjamin Pavard – 5

Nayef Aguerd – 7

The Moroccan had missed the trip to Madrid because of a head injury, but he scored instantly on his return – showing some great strength to outmuscle Chevalier and get his second goal in as many games. Was an assured presence on the left side of the back three

Emerson – 5

Matt O’Riley – 6

Pierre-Emile Højbjerg – 7

Mason Greenwood – 5

The Englishman was as effective off the ball as he was on it. Similarly to Weah, his role in the press was essential in disrupting PSG’s rhythm when playing out the back. He moved inside at times and helped out O’Riley and Højbjerg when he could, topping it off with an assist for OM’s opener.

Igor Paixao – 4

Amine Gouiri – 5PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN PLAYER RATINGS

Lucas Chevalier – 4

The Frenchman’s one potential weakness was exposed early on as Aguerd outjumped him and Marquinhos to a header which could have been avoided.

Willian Pacho – 5

Marquinhos – 4

Illia Zabarnyi – 5

Nuno Mendes – 6

He was PSG’s best performer in what was a first half to forget, the Portuguese international had an almighty battle with Timothy Weah but was offensively smart and drove down the wings.

Fabian Ruiz – 4

Vitinha – 4

Warren Zaïre-Emery – 4

Achraf Hakimi – 5

Gonçalo Ramos – 4

Kvara Kvaratskhelia – 5GFFN | George Boxall – reporting from the Stade Vélodrome.