Trophée des Champions Preview: PSG look to edge OM
Ahead of tomorrow's Trophée des Champions, we run the rule over the two competitors -- Paris Saint-Germain and Olympique de Marseille. Get the latest in our preview.
Auba or Amine for OM?
While Marseille will be without the suspended Bilal Nadir and Arthur Vermeeren after the pair were sent off against Nantes at the weekend, as well as Nayef Aguerd (AFCON), the real choice for Roberto de Zerbi will come in attack. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is back with the team after Gabon's early exit from AFCON, but Amine Gouiri is also fit again, and has reportedly been impressing in training. Having scored ten Ligue 1 McDonald's goals in just twelve starts since arriving from Stade Rennais last winter, he was integral to OM's play last season, and could give the Italian a selection dilemma in attack.
Marseille proved earlier this season that they know how to beat the champions, winning their league match 1-0, but De Zerbi was sanguine about tomorrow in this morning's press conference, saying "We have to play a high intensity match, with lots of engagement, as if we were playing for something extra."
Le Classique. Trophée des Champions. The stage is set 🏆😍 pic.twitter.com/NOFdCJf97I
— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) January 7, 2026
"The real PSG" is out for revenge
As for De Zerbi's opposite number, Luis Enrique gave no quarter in assessing the match. The Spaniard will be without the influential Achraf Hakimi (AFCON), but is otherwise expected to play a first-choice eleven -- what he called "the real PSG" pre-match as his side look to get payback following a 1-0 loss in the league.
He continued, “When you play a Classique against OM, and a final at that, it’s not about league revenge. We’ll have to manage our emotions well, pay attention to detail. It’s not about revenge, but we know the importance of this match for the fans, the club, and the team. Marseille has quality players, but we want to dominate the game, have the ball, and press as quickly as possible to win it back. We want to be ready to face any situation in the match.”
Predicted lineups:
Paris Saint-Germain (4-3-3): Chevalier; Zaïre-Emery, Marquinhos, Pacho, Mendes; Neves, Vitinha, Ruiz; Doué, Dembélé, Kvaratskhelia
Olympique de Marseille (3-4-3): Rulli; Pavard, Balerdi, Medina; Weah, Højberg, Kondogbia, Emerson; Greenwood, Aubameyang, Paixao
