Aguerd header seals Classique win for Marseille over PSG

It was already a feisty affair, a Classique clash of huge proportions - made only more intriguing by a one-day postponement due to storms in Marseille yesterday evening. A day later, it was Olympique de Marseille who would provide the storm, as Les Olympiens ran out 1-0 winners thanks to a header in the fourth minute from Nayef Aguerd.

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') as Marseille fans roared their lead.

The side from the French capital would then start to impose their passing game minutes later, but OM managed to dig in and had some interesting movements 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.

Marseille press troubles Enrique's men

PSG did threaten though, Balerdi had to make a recovering tackle on Ramos after Matt O'Riley was dispossessed in a compromising position. Geronimo 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 managed to rattle the crossbar with a strike from range.

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.

The break came at a good time for PSG, who began the second period with possession of the ball and some bright play from the left side from Nuno Mendes. His opposite number in Timothy Weah was also active early in the second period, breaking through the backline but not finding a final ball. But PSG were threatening, Rulli had to be vital after Balerdi blocked a strike from Kvara and the ball rebounded to Hakimi, whose strike was parried by Rulli and dribbled just to the right of his post. The Moroccan then proved a pinpoint cross for Gonçalo Ramos to head just over the bar.

But OM managed to calm down the PSG attacking momentum, Mason Greenwood was even sent through on goal but a finely timed intervention from Chevalier stopped the Englishman in his tracks. Roberto De Zerbi was then sent off in injury time, and then OM had some chances to double their lead in the process - but the tension was finally released: Marseille have won a first game at home to PSG in Le Classique in Ligue 1 McDonald's since 2011.

THE STAT: Two in two

Nayef Aguerd has scored two goals in his first two games with Marseille in Ligue 1, after failing to score in his previous 42 league matches in Top 5 European leagues. OM have scored three of their last four goals in Ligue 1 thanks to their defenders, as many as in their previous 63 (excluding own goals).