Le Classique - The most brutal game in French football

Most derbies are formed by a coincidence of Geography, others are formed by history and competition between sides and the remaining games are formed through pure, unadulterated hatred.

'Le Classique' between PSG and Marseille falls into the latter category. No matter how you look at it, this is a game unlike many others.

The historical, cultural and social importance of the derby is almost unparalleled. 

Based at almost completely the other end of the country to one another and in the country's two biggest cities, people have passed the game off as a clash of North and South, but it is so much more.

There is also more than a hint of class war to the rivalry, with the Parisian bourgeoisie and the working class of Marseille locking horns.

Interestingly, the rivalry is not particularly old and only really dates back to 1986 when PSG romped to their first league title under the stewardship of Gerard Houllier just 16 years after their formation.

That sparked a response from Marseille, with 'OM' winning five straight league titles from 1989 onwards as well as a Champions League in 1993.

That team boasted the likes of Fabian Barthez, Marcel Desailly, Rudi Voller and Didier Deschamps but a match-fixing scandal saw the break-up of the side and led to the club being relegated to Ligue 2 and stripped of their 1993 league title.

PSG took advantage of their rivals' struggles, winning the domestic treble in 1995, with Marseille needing until 1996 to return to the top flight.

In recent years, clashes off the pitch between fans have made the headlines. 146 fans were arrested before a game between the pair in 1995, whilst a 2010 fixture saw riots erupt in the streets.

Such has been the scale of the violence that the game has earned the moniker 'Le Clashique'.

With the two sides boasting two of France's most talented groups of players, we look to be in store for plenty more exciting games in the years to come.