Of their first season as reigning European champions, Paris Saint-Germain are underneath extra scrutiny than ever. That highlight provides further weight to each match — and this weekend’s conflict in opposition to Olympique Marseille isn’t any exception. Head coach Luis Enrique admitted he will likely be taking particular care forward of the derby.
Throughout PSG’s UEFA Champions League opener in opposition to Atalanta, Luis Enrique raised eyebrows by watching the primary half from the stands slightly than the touchline — a uncommon transfer for a soccer supervisor. After halftime, he returned to the bench as normal.
Nonetheless, that method gained’t be repeated within the derby in opposition to Marseille. “Away from residence, I don’t dare,” Luis Enrique revealed in his post-match press convention. “Particularly as a result of my bodily situation isn’t at its greatest,” he added, referring to the sling he’s sporting after fracturing his left collarbone two weeks in the past.
Talking particularly in regards to the matchup with OM, the coach was direct: “It’s higher to not play with hearth. This time I’ll be with my gamers to really feel the warmth,” he mentioned. “We’re speaking a couple of French soccer traditional — a match that everybody needs to play and coach in, with an intense ambiance.”
Timothy Weah’s OM will face PSG this Sunday.
The rivalry between PSG and OM
Olympique Marseille have lengthy been certainly one of France’s most storied golf equipment — at one level coming near overtaking Saint-Etienne because the nation’s most adorned Ligue 1 aspect. Till this previous summer time, they have been additionally the one French membership ever to win the UEFA Champions League, a feat they achieved in 1993.
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However the arrival of Qatari funding remodeled PSG fully. In simply 13 years, they’ve gone from two Ligue 1 titles to turning into probably the most profitable membership in French league historical past, now boasting 13. That home dominance was additional solidified with their UEFA Champions League title within the 2024–25 season.
All of this has added much more gasoline to PSG and OM’s already fierce rivalry — broadly thought of probably the most intense in French soccer and generally known as Le Classique. This Sunday will mark one other version of the historic matchup, set to be performed at Stade Vélodrome as a part of Matchday 5 in Ligue 1.
Why does Luis Enrique watch matches from the stands?
Luis Enrique’s uncommon behavior of watching matches from the stands began this season. He first did it throughout a Ligue 1 fixture in opposition to Lens and repeated the method within the Champions League match in opposition to Atalanta.
Requested in regards to the reasoning behind it, the coach was candid: “I’ve observed that rugby coaches analyze matches with a really totally different perspective. I like the opportunity of in search of that enchancment,” Luis Enrique mentioned throughout final week’s press convention. “I wished to observe the primary half from the stands, and it’s incredible. It’s totally different. I can see every little thing.”
