Marseille vs PSG : Weather Chaos, Ballon d’Or Clash, and Early Goal Set the Stage for a Fiery Le Classique
The long-awaited Ligue 1 clash between Olympique de Marseille and Paris Saint-Germain turned into one of the most dramatic football stories of the season even before the first whistle was blown. From a weather-induced postponement to an unexpected clash with the Ballon d’Or ceremony and a lightning-fast Marseille opener, Le Classique lived up to its reputation as France’s most unpredictable rivalry.
Severe Weather Postpones Le Classique
The original fixture, scheduled for Sunday evening at the Orange Vélodrome, was postponed after French authorities issued an orange weather alert. Forecasts predicted torrential rain with up to 120 millimeters falling within a few hours, raising concerns about both player safety and fan access to the stadium. With nearly 70,000 supporters expected to attend, officials made the decision to reschedule.
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Original Date: Sunday, September 21
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New Kickoff: Monday, September 22 at 20:00 local time
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Reason: Heavy rain and flood warnings
All tickets purchased for the initial date remained valid for the rescheduled match, ensuring no fans lost out due to the disruption.
Ballon d’Or Ceremony Overshadowed by Rescheduling
The new match date caused an unexpected clash with the prestigious 2025 Ballon d’Or ceremony, leaving several PSG nominees unable to attend. Among those forced to miss the gala were:
| PSG Player | Ballon d’Or Nominee | Match Availability |
|---|---|---|
| Achraf Hakimi | Yes | Playing |
| Khvicha Kvaratskhelia | Yes | Playing |
| Nuno Mendes | Yes | Playing |
| Fabián Ruiz | Yes | Playing |
| Vitinha | Yes | Playing |
| Desiré Doué | Yes | Injured |
Notably, Ousmane Dembélé—widely regarded as one of the front-runners for the award—remained absent from the pitch due to injury and was expected to attend the ceremony instead.
Early Action: Marseille Strike First
When the match finally got underway, Marseille wasted no time in shocking the visitors. Just five minutes in, Nayef Aguerd converted a cross from Mason Greenwood after PSG goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier misjudged the clearance. This early breakthrough sent the Vélodrome into frenzy and put immediate pressure on the reigning champions.
Current Form and Key Team News
Both teams entered the match in contrasting forms:
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Paris Saint-Germain: Four straight Ligue 1 victories and a dominant 4-0 Champions League opener against Atalanta.
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Olympique de Marseille: An inconsistent start but strong home support at the Vélodrome.
PSG Absentees
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Ousmane Dembélé (injury)
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Desiré Doué (injury)
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Joao Neves (injury)
Marseille Absentees
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Hamed Traoré (thigh injury)
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Nayef Aguerd (head injury prior to the game, but still featured)
Historical Context and Head-to-Head
Since PSG’s Qatari takeover in 2011, the capital side has largely dominated the rivalry. However, Marseille’s strong performances at home continue to make Le Classique one of the most hotly contested fixtures in French football.
Recent Records at the Vélodrome:
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PSG victories: Consistent in recent years
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Marseille victories: Less frequent, but often dramatic
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Draws: A handful, typically hard-fought encounters
What’s at Stake
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For PSG: A victory strengthens their position at the top of Ligue 1 and extends their unbeaten run in both domestic and European competition.
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For Marseille: A win or even a point could restore confidence after an inconsistent start and show they can still challenge France’s dominant force.
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For Football Fans: The overlap with the Ballon d’Or ensures global media attention, combining football drama on and off the pitch.
