Preview: Rabiot takes centre stage in Le Classique
A "striking" problem
Despite being undefeated in the league, and the sterling form of Bradley Barcola, who surprisingly sits atop the Ligue 1 scoring charts with seven goals, attack has been a challenge for Paris Saint-Germain this season. The team have continued to evolve under Luis Enrique, but in the wake of the departure of Kylian Mbappé, they have often looked disjointed in attack.
A long-term injury to Gonçalo Ramos has been an issue, but so has the form of the other players the Spaniard has tried as central forwards, with none of Randal Kolo Muani, Lee Kang-In or Marco Asensio filling their boots. In their last three UEFA Champions League matches, the team have scored just twice, and they've also struggled to break down the likes of OGC Nice and Stade de Reims in the league. Given the hosts' prowess in attack, a reversal of this trend is badly needed if PSG hope to keep their spot atop the table.
Marseille vs PSG is the only ‘Le Classique’ you don’t wanna miss this weekend 🤭🇫🇷🍿 pic.twitter.com/bcddvi0shS
— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) October 24, 2024
The revenant
While the fomenting of the PSG fan base will be minimized given this match is being played at the Stade Vélodrôme, the headlines for the hosts have undoubtedly been about Adrien Rabiot. As incisive as Marseille's attack has been under Roberto de Zerbi, with Mason Greenwood and the revitalized Luis Henrique leading the way, with Rabiot having played more than 200 matches for the capital side, his facing his former side has been the main talking point pre-match as he looks set to get his first start.
Elsewhere in the team, de Zerbi will be keen to strike the right balance in defence, with first choice left back Quentin Merlin a doubt and Chancel Mbemba out of favor. To combat these absences, where Marseille have typically lined up in a 4-2-3-1, there is some suggestion they'll play with three in midfield, with Amine Harit playing a deeper role instead of as a number ten. That added balance, buoyed by the dynamism of Rabiot, could be enough to keep the leaders at bay and allow Marseille to reinsert themselves into the title race.
Predicted lineups:
Olympique de Marseille (4-3-3): Rulli; Murillo, Balerdi, Brassier, Merlin; Rabiot, Højberg, Harit; Greenwood, Wahi, Henrique
Paris Saint-Germain (4-3-3): Donnarumma; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacho, Mendes; Zaïre-Emery, Vitinha, Neves; Dembélé, Asensio (or Kang-In), Barcola
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