The Olympique de Marseille suffered a strong defeat against Real Madrid (2-1) on the first day of the Champions League, despite an encouraging performance. The team opened the score with Timothy Weah, but Real Madrid reacted quickly with a penalty transformed by Kylian Mbappé. Goaltender Gerónimo Rulli made numerous parades to keep OM in the game, while Roberto De Zerbi’s team tried to build his game with a slightly superior possession. A turning point in the game was the expulsion of Dani Carvajal, offering a digital advantage to OM, who then created several frank opportunities. However, a hand from Facundo Medina allowed Real Madrid to score a second penalty, transformed by Mbappé, sealing the Madrilene victory. Despite the defeat, OM showed signs of hope for the rest of the competition.

In anticipation of the shock of the 5th day of Ligue 1 against Paris Saint-Germain, OM coach Luis Enrique announced that he would not repeat his past leadership experience from the stands. He prefers to return to a more traditional position in the field, believing that the intense atmosphere of the OM-PSG Classic requires his presence alongside his players. This decision is also motivated by health concerns, including a clavicle injury following a fall by bicycle. Enrique had previously experienced direction from the stands with an audio headphone and panoramic vision, a method he found interesting for game analysis and half-time communication.

Luis Enrique’s choice underlines the particular importance of this match against the PSG, which goes beyond a mere championship match. It is a major event of French football, marked by the historical rivalry between the two clubs. The defeat against Real Madrid, although bitter, suggests a potential for OM in the Champions League, and the next match against PSG represents an opportunity to confirm this dynamic. The expected electric atmosphere for this Classic is a testament to the sporting stakes and the passionate attachment of the fans of both teams.