Marseille vs Paris Saint Germain - Michel: Marseille are good enough to end PSG run

Posted Saturday, February 06, 2016 by PA

Marseille coach Michel is adamant his side have what it takes to end rivals Paris St Germain's bid for an unbeaten Ligue 1 season.

Real Madrid, in the Champions League group stage, are the only side to taste victory against PSG this season as Laurent Blanc's side have opened up a surely conclusive 24-point lead in the domestic standings.

Marseille languish in eighth but only a trio of penalties settled the season's first meeting in PSG's favour, Zlatan Ibrahimovic scoring twice while OM's Abdelaziz Barrada was foiled by goalkeeper Kevin Trapp in a 2-1 loss.

And Michel said at a press conference broadcast on Marseille's website: "It's a 'Classique', of course it's special. We will prepare to play against a big team but we will not change our tactics.

"We battled well in the previous match. The idea is to play the same and hope the result is different.

"We played well but the players were disappointed with the result. Our opponents were excellent but we had the chance to win the match. We know it is possible.

"It would be good to be the second team to beat them."

That remark momentarily baffled some of the reporters present but Michel added: "Why are you looking at me like that? Real did it, didn't they?"

Florian Thauvin, on loan from Newcastle, is suspended after being sent off 10 minutes into his return to the club against Montpellier. It will be the 19th match missed by suspended Marseille players this season.

The most recent of those, Michy Batshuayi, returns while new signing Steven Fletcher is also in contention up front. Lassana Diarra is an injury doubt.

On his new Scottish recruit, Michel said: "We wanted a forward. If he scores goals I will be happy.

"We have 19 players available against PSG. I think he will be in the squad."

For PSG, Marco Verratti, Javier Pastore and Gregory van der Wiel will continue to be monitored as they battle what Blanc termed "little niggles".

Regardless of their huge lead in the standings, full-back Maxwell insists there must be no let-up.

He told the club's website: "We have a lead in the league. We are happy because that shows that even if the team changes, we are performing well. That is important - the marathon continues."

Maxwell has been involved in 10 previous Classiques, with a record of nine wins and a draw.

He said: "The small details make the difference. Desire, technique, experience.

"To win, we must play our own game. You must not change just for the Classique.

"We are going well. We have to be confident and have the same desire we have shown up to now. That makes the difference."