Greatest Rivalries in Football - PSG vs Marseille

Le Classique, also known as Derby de France,contested between French top-flight clubs Paris Saint-Germain and Olympique de Marseille.

These meetings became important during the late 1980’s and the beginning of the 1990’s. "Canal+ and Bernard Tapie" promoted the rivalry, making these matches of interest for all French football fans. The tension between OM and PSG fans is legendary, and both clubs’ world-class stadiums, the Stade Vélodrome and the Parc des Princes, respectively, are renowned for the white-hot atmosphere and enthusiastic fans. More and more, the various groups of Marseille and Parisian supporters have hated and battled each other. Important security measures are taken to prevent confrontations between the fans, but violent episodes still often occur every time the duo meet.

Like all major rivalries, the anticipation between Paris Saint-Germain and Olympique de Marseille extends outside the pitch as Paris and Marseille are the two largest cities in France, while the duo are the country’s two best-supported clubs and were the dominant forces before the appearance of Olympique Lyonnais during the 21st century. The arch-rivals are also the only two French clubs to have won a major European club competition. Despite their recent ups and downs, PSG and OM remain, along with Saint-Étienne, the only French clubs with a truly nationwide, faithful and passionate fan base, giving the country’s biggest match a special atmosphere.

Rightly or wrongly, it is the fans that make the match so special and attract much of its worldwide attention.
Three years ago, one PSG fan was left in a coma and eventually died after a nasty clash between the capital club’s two main support groups—the Supras Auteil and the Boulogne Boys. That ugly meeting sparked over 15 arrests, and since then no travelling fans have been admitted to the fixture. Until now, that is. This season opposing fans are slowly being re-introduced to the spectacle. Even if it is only 400 who will are allowed to enter each team’s respective stadiums this year, their contribution to the atmosphere is massive.

The battle between these two is dubbed as the North versus South derby.The duo represent Paris, France’s capital city. And Marseille, the biggest city in southern France and the nation’s third-largest metropolitan area. And more recently, PSG represent the new-found wealth of foreign investment whilst OM brag about the widespread support garnered only by accumulated success.
Many French people resent Paris due to its political, economic and cultural dominance. Consequently, a large part of the population dislikes its football team Paris Saint-Germain.

Players to watch out for this season-
  : Cavani, Ibrahimovic, Lucas, Pastore, Thiago Silva ( PSG )
  : Mandanda, Valbuena, Ayew, Thauvin, Payet ( Marseille )