Olympique De Marseille Vs PSG [1-0] Ligue 1 2025/2026: Roberto De Zerbi Tactics Stifle Luis Enrique In Le Classique – Tactical Analysis

Although PSG had players and some fans missing, including their star forward Ousmane Dembélé who was crowned the Ballon d’Or winner on the same night, Le Classique ended up being a stunning affair.

Roberto de Zerbi’s enthusiasm paid off as Olympique de Marseille beat PSG 1-0.

After the game, De Zerbi spoke of his joy at beating the French Champions:

One of the reasons I came to Marseille was to beat PSG, because they represent power, and I don’t like power; a team that has been winning for years, almost without a rival, it’s something that I don’t accept.

The Italian’s usual fieriness was clear as day, culminating in a red card for the coach towards the end of the game.

However, De Zerbis game plan and tactics were anything but trademark.

OM hit them quickly on the counterattack, but what was really key to their game plan was making sure that Marseille and their defenders jumped on PSG’s most dangerous and effective players when they had the ball in the tight half-spaces, where they can be dangerous.

In this tactical football analysis, we will analyze Roberto De Zerbi tactics and how his Marseille side stifled Paris Saint-Germain out of possession.

Marseille Pressing Tactics Vs PSG

With PSG setting up in a back five, Luis Enrique’s men were unable to call upon the services of Ousmane Dembélé, João Neves, Bradley Barcola, and Désiré Doué, not because the players were celebrating at the Balon d’Or ceremony but because they had injuries to contend with.

By the 55th minute in the game, PSG had only entered Marseille’s penalty area twice as the tactics and game plan paid off from De Zerbi.

Of course, when you set out to stifle and defend against a team, it always helps to score early, but Marseille did this by pressing PSG when they had the ball deep in the build-up.

As you can see from above, Marseille pressed PSG in clusters of the pit, whichever side they were on.

Before Illia Zabarnyi receives the cut-off ball to switch, to the left of him, you can see five Marseille players pressing PSG in one corner of the pitch.