Paris Saint-Germain delivered a commanding performance against their rivals Marseille, securing a 3-0 victory at the Stade Velodrome on Sunday. This win propelled PSG three points clear at the top of Ligue 1 after Monaco, their closest competitors, suffered their first defeat of the season. The match was especially significant as it marked the first Classique of the season, and PSG's dominance was evident by halftime when they established a comfortable three-goal lead.
The match quickly turned in favor of PSG, starting with João Neves scoring just seven minutes into the game, capitalizing on a mistake by Marseille's goalkeeper, Gerónimo Rulli. The situation worsened for Marseille midway through the first half when Amine Harit received a straight red card for a high challenge on Marquinhos.
Following Harit's dismissal, Marseille's captain, Leonardo Balerdi, inadvertently increased PSG's lead by scoring an own goal just nine minutes later. Bradley Barcola then added a third goal for PSG just before the break, further solidifying their advantage.
PSG's head coach, Luis Enrique, expressed his satisfaction with the result, emphasizing the importance of winning such a prestigious match away from home. He dedicated the victory to the fans, acknowledging the significance of the Classique for both the supporters and their standings in the league.
In contrast, Marseille's coach, Roberto De Zerbi, voiced his disappointment, stating that his team lacked the courage and personality needed for such a high-stakes encounter. He lamented the impact of Harit’s red card, which he felt shifted the dynamics of the match dramatically.
Meanwhile, Monaco had the chance to challenge PSG's top position but failed to capitalize, losing 2-1 to rivals Nice. Despite Breel Embolo giving Monaco a first-half lead, they ultimately succumbed to goals from Evann Guessand and Gaetan Laborde, marking Monaco’s first defeat in Ligue 1 this season.
Following the match, Monaco's coach Adi Hütter expressed his dissatisfaction, highlighting that the team's mistakes led to their downfall. In other matches, Lyon drew 2-2 with Auxerre, Strasbourg triumphed 3-1 over Nantes, and Toulouse secured a decisive 3-0 win against Montpellier.
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