Paris Saint-Germain had to work hard for a full three points at Marseille, despite their hosts’ financial, squad and results problems, as the home side ensured the visitors from the capital received the traditionally fierce reception reserved for Le Classique.
Ferran Torres, Desire Doue, Marquinhos and Nuno Mendes were the main figures behind PSG’s away win, although each made a different contribution. Torres made an immediate impact from the bench, Doue repeatedly unsettled the Marseille defence, Marquinhos scored the decisive goal and Mendes controlled the left side for long periods before a late mistake almost undid his work.
The player ratings are out of 10, with the starting-point mark set at 6.0.
Ferran Torres – 7.0
Torres came on with one clear intention: to shoot. He had three attempts and needed only one to make an impact, moving unexpectedly for the defenders before meeting a cross with his head and directing it into the net.
He could not be blamed for the goal PSG conceded, with the criticism instead directed at Ousmane Dembele. Torres did, however, have the chance to prevent the match becoming level when another cross from Doue found him on 70 minutes.
A first-time finish was difficult, but the substitute might have carried the ball closer to goal into the available space. He did not have time to make that decision. His third effort produced a corner after taking a deflection off an outfield Marseille player.
Desire Doue – 7.5
Doue’s movement on the wing and in the inside channels gradually wore down Marseille’s defensive shape. He beat opponents in attacking areas three times and created five key chances.
His finishing was far less effective. Four attempts produced only 0.19 in personal xG, but his delivery for Torres’ header was precise and supplied PSG with their goal.
Marquinhos – 7.5
The PSG captain showed the value of a central defender who can also appear in the opposition penalty area and finish like a forward. Marquinhos followed up to score the winning goal after the initial opportunity had not been converted.
He also performed strongly defensively, winning four of five aerial duels. Yet there was a late lapse. In the final minute, Marquinhos and fellow Brazilian Lucas Beraldo left Ager unmarked behind them as a cross was sent into the area, allowing the Marseille player a potential chance to score.
Nuno Mendes – 8.0
Mendes created five chances, including the delivery that eventually led to Marquinhos’ winner after the defender was given a second opportunity to finish.
After Khvicha Kvaratskhelia was substituted, Mendes took complete control of the left flank. From there, and through his movement inside, he produced a steady stream of key passes. Theo Hernandez? Nothe Marseille player who received two yellow cards as a result of Mendes’ pressure was Timothy Weah.
However, Mendes nearly paid for his influence in the closing seconds. He lost possession close to his own penalty-area line, giving Marseille the opportunity to cross for Ager, who should have scored.