Luis Enrique emphasized that Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) cannot view their victory over Marseille in the Classique as guaranteed, even after their hard-fought 2-1 win at the Stade Velodrome.
The game was decided by Marquinhos’ goal in the 74th minute, marking PSG’s second straight win in Ligue 1 after a challenging start with three games without a victory.
This goal came just moments after Angel Gomes had equalized for Marseille, following Ferran Torres’ initial strike for PSG.
Marseille’s captain, Timothy Weah, was sent off shortly after conceding the second goal, receiving a second yellow card after bringing down Nuno Mendes from behind.
Despite PSG’s recent success, winning 10 of their last 14 away matches against Marseille (with 3 draws and 1 loss), Nayef Aguerd had a golden chance to equalize late in stoppage time but missed his header.
Enrique remarked that gaining three points at the Velodrome is always a challenge for any visiting team, highlighting the difficulty of the match despite external expectations.
“It was a tough match as we anticipated. Many thought it would be straightforward, but playing at the Velodrome is never simple,” he stated during an interview with Ligue 1+.
“In the first half, we created fewer chances due to the opponent’s solid defense, but we improved in the second half.”
PSG’s Le Classique hero. Marquinhos. pic.twitter.com/tOeB5JyzaH
— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) September 20, 2026
This defeat continues to increase pressure on Bruno Genesio, the first Marseille coach since Willy Kohut and Andre Gascard in 1938 to lose four of his first five league matches in charge.
As a result, Marseille will head into the three-week international break sitting in 17th place in the Ligue 1 standings, marking their worst start since the 2011-12 season when they ended up finishing 10th after a similarly poor beginning.
Despite this, Enrique believes Marseille has the potential to improve, acknowledging their strong defense and the quality of their coach.
Genesio, on the other hand, recognizes that the team’s recent performances have not met expectations and plans to discuss the situation with club management during the break.
“It’s interesting to note that everyone wishes me well. As a coach, I’m directly linked to our outcomes, especially at a club like Marseille,” he commented.
“These results are not adequate, and I take my share of responsibility; others must also do so.”
“I need to pause, reflect on this defeat, and have discussions with my staff and directors because it’s unusual for OM to be in this position.”
PSG will next play against Le Mans on October 10, while Marseille will face Troyes the following day.
Fan Take: This news highlights the ongoing competitiveness of Ligue 1, showcasing that no match is easily won, even for top teams like PSG. For soccer fans, the pressure mounting on Marseille’s coach heightens the drama of the league and raises questions about whether storied clubs can rebound to reclaim their former glory.
Source: www.soccernews.com
