For all of their attacking exploits in Ligue 1 this term, Marseille have struggled to replicate such performances in continental action, most recently being held to a goalless draw by Lazio at the Stadio Olimpico in the Europa League.
Such a result represented their third stalemate from three games in the Europa League this term, but Sampaoli’s exciting outfit had no problem seeing off Lorient last weekend, as Matteo Guendouzi struck twice while Arkadiusz Milik and Boubacar Kamara also made the net ripple.
While their supporters have been embroiled in various disciplinary issues since being welcomed back to the Orange Velodrome stands, Sampaoli’s side have done their talking on the pitch to rise to third in the table, as their busy summer of recruitment continues to pay dividends.
However, Les Olympiens may now be starting to feel the effects of juggling domestic and European commitments, as they can only boast one win from their last six games in all competitions, failing to score in four matches during that underwhelming streak.
On a more positive note, most of Marseille’s profligacy has been evident on the road, as Sampaoli’s side have scored at least two goals in all five of their Ligue 1 home games this term and have lost just one of their last 13 league battles at the Stade Velodrome.
With Lionel Messi seemingly coming into his own at the Parc des Princes, the six-time Ballon d’Or winner was instrumental in his side’s midweek Champions League win over RB Leipzig, bagging a brace alongside Kylian Mbappe’s finish in a hard-fought 3-2 success.
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Mauricio Pochettino’s side were also made to work for their most recent Ligue 1 victory against early-season surprise package Angers, but after a lengthy VAR review for Pierrick Capelle’s handball, Mbappe stroked home from the spot to hand Les Parisiens all three points in front of their own fans.
Despite sitting pretty at the top of the pile with 27 points taken from a possible 30 so far this term, many have questioned whether PSG are yet to properly kick into gear this term, especially with Rennes exposing their defensive deficiencies just before the international break.
However, 11 of PSG’s last 13 away matches in the top flight have seen them come up trumps, and a tally of 24 goals scored is unsurprisingly the best record in the division so far, but there will be no travelling Parisiens support at the Orange Velodrome amid fears of even more fan disruption with tempers flaring in Le Classique
