SAEDNEWS: Marseille ended a 14-year drought by defeating PSG 1-0 at the Stade Vélodrome in front of 66,000 fans. The victory sparked wild celebrations, fierce clashes, and a fiery expulsion for Roberto De Zerbi.
According to Saed News; For fourteen long years, Marseille had waited. On a rain-soaked pitch, in front of a deafening 66,190-strong crowd at the Stade Vélodrome, OM finally broke their curse against PSG. The 1-0 victory wasn’t just another match — it was a night of intensity, drama, and the kind of chaos only “Le Classique” can deliver.
As flares lit up Boulevard Michelet and chants from the Marseille dressing room echoed into the night, the city knew this was more than three points. It was a statement.
Originally scheduled earlier, the match had been delayed due to heavy rains that left the pitch unplayable. By the time kickoff arrived, the stakes felt even higher. The absence of PSG president Nasser al-Khelaïfi — attending the Ballon d’Or ceremony — didn’t go unnoticed.
OM president Pablo Longoria defended the timing bluntly:
“I can understand PSG’s frustration, but rules are rules. The heart of a footballer’s job is to play matches.”
Despite the logistical headaches, the Stade Vélodrome sold out. Only a few seats in the upper Ganay stand remained empty — a symbolic show of how much this match meant to the Marseille faithful.
On the pitch, the first half was tense but measured. The tunnel at halftime saw a minor scuffle, with Medhi Benatia later brushing it off:
“We wanted to create something, but I had nothing to do with it.”
Still, the intensity hinted at the fireworks to come.
The decisive moment came midway through the second half. Marseille’s relentless pressing forced PSG into errors, and the breakthrough finally arrived. As the ball hit the back of the net, the roar of the Vélodrome was seismic.
The players embraced. The fans unleashed. And the city of Marseille, starved of this moment for over a decade, exploded with joy.
But victory didn’t come without fireworks — and not just from the flares. The end of the match descended into chaos, with tempers flaring in the stands and on the pitch.
Roberto De Zerbi, who had already made headlines since joining OM, was sent off in stoppage time after a heated exchange. His post-match comments were explosive:
“One of the reasons I came here is to beat PSG. They represent power, and I don’t like power.”
Tensions spilled beyond the pitch. A stadium security officer reportedly provoked one of the scuffles, and agents were described as “vehement” with insults flying across the stands.
Outside the stadium, Boulevard Michelet turned into a carnival of chaos. Smoke bombs lit the night sky. Fans danced, sang, and waved flags in celebration of a victory many had thought might never come again.
Inside, chants of “OM! OM!” reverberated from the dressing room, symbolic of the pride and relief washing over the squad.
For Marseille, this wasn’t just about three points. It was about identity. It was about finally toppling a PSG side seen as the embodiment of financial might and footballing dominance.
De Zerbi’s comments highlighted the symbolic battle: OM as the underdog fighting against the perceived “power” of PSG. In a Ligue 1 increasingly dominated by money and star power, Marseille’s gritty victory felt like a win for passion over politics.
This clash has already set the tone for the return leg in Paris. With De Zerbi’s suspension looming and PSG hungry for revenge, the rematch promises to be just as explosive.
But for now, Marseille fans can bask in the glory of a night that will be etched in club history.