‘This is not a game like any other’ – Blanc builds up PSG-Marseille clash

Laurent Blanc has said that Sunday’s ‘Classique’ between Paris Saint-Germain and Marseille has to be seen as a special match, but warned that whatever the outcome, only three points are at stake. 

The sides enjoy one of the fiercest rivalries in French football and will do battle at Parc des Princes on Sunday night, with Blanc admitting that it must be considered a special occasion.

“This is not a game like any other - especially for the fans of both teams,” he told the press. 

“But at the end of the day, only three points are available. Our preparation remains the same.”

Blanc confessed that with their midweek Champions League match against Shakhtar Donetsk, in which PSG claimed a 3-0 victory, has complicated his thinking prior to this match. 

“We’ve only had only four days since we played, with a hard flight back from Ukraine because we arrived very late at night. For Marseille it is even worse because they played Thursday in the Europa League.”

Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s presence in the starting XI had been a little under question after playing four matches in two weeks, but Blanc says this will simply help the Swede.

“There has to be sensible management of all players,” he said. 

“Everyone would agree that competition is a good thing. For Ibrahimovic, my idea is to give him playing time. He can do much better, but these games have allowed him to return to his best physical level. 

“During the season there will be competition and I’ll have to rest some players. Ibrahimovic will have his time.”

Meanwhile, the coach refused to be drawn on whether this is the most lopsided this fixture has been in recent years owing to the ongoing struggles of OM.

“It is the media who write and decide that,” he said. “The Classique is a media invention. 

“The ambition of PSG is to win every game, whether it’s against Marseille, Lorient or anyone else. We have a lot of respect for these teams. 

“I’m not predicting how Marseille will play. I only care about my team. It's a match to win in front of our fans and we know that if we do that we are going to make the PSG fans happy.”

PSG have won the fixture the last four times it has been played on home turf in Paris, each by a 2-0 scoreline.