‘Classique’ a boring fizzle in the drizzle
There was nothing ‘Classique’ about it as Paris Saint-Germain and bitter rival Marseille conjured up an uninspiring 0-0 draw in relentless rain in the French capital on Sunday.
Billed as the Ligue 1 equivalent of Spain’s El Clasico, it was a poor advertisement for French soccer and did little to dispel the impression that reigning champion PSG is struggling to grasp coach Unai Emery’s methods.
Misfiring PSG striker Edinson Cavani had an evening to forget and the damp stalemate left his side in third place, two points behind Monaco and six back of surprise leader Nice, which won again despite missing injured Mario Balotelli.
“It’s clear that the draw is not a good result for us,” said Emery. “But the team had a good match and for 90 minutes we were in charge.”
There was plenty of rain and endeavor at Parc des Princes in Paris in the first half, but precious little goal-mouth action.
Struggling in the middle of the standings, Marseille, under new American ownership and with new coach Rudi Garcia in charge for the first time, was pinned back for long periods but the Parisians did little with the ball.
“It’s a positive result. Mission accomplished, because we didn’t have a shot on goal,” said Garcia.
It took until 10 minutes before the break for the first real chance of the game.
Cavani headed wastefully over for the home side when unmarked and then Serge Aurie rd rilled as hot straight at Marseille goalkeeper Yohann Pele.
Cavani took a tumble in the box under minimal contact just before halftime, but referee Clement Turpin was unmoved despite strong appeals from Cavani and the home crowd, and the PSG players remonstrated with the officials as they trudged off into the break.
Both teams emerged with more intent for the second half and captain Bafetimbi Gomis had an early and rare chance for Marseille, for whom Garcia is the fourth coach since the start of last season, underlining the instability that has blighted the fallen giants.
In the 69th minute Cavani was again guilty of poor finishing, once more heading badly off target when free and unmarked, as the Parisians stepped up the pressure, forcing a series of corners.
And 10 minutes from time the long-haired Uruguayan made it a hat-trick of misses, prodding wide from close range when under pressure.
Three for Plea
Meanwhile, Alassane Plea fired a hat-trick as Ligue 1 leader Nice continued its terrific start to the season with a thrilling 4-2 victory at promoted Metz.
With Balotelli out with a thigh injury, Plea assumed the lead role for Lucien Favre’s unbeaten side and netted the opener in the 12th minute before adding a second from the penalty spot after Georges Mandjeck tallied for the home side.
Substitute Habib Diallo made it 2-2 midway through the second half for Metz but Plea struck for a third time on in the 84th before Wylan Cyprien wrapped up the points in injury time.
“It’s a deserved win even if it was very tough. We played well,” said coach Lucien Favre.
“The players’ reaction was very good after they equalized. We’re incredibly happy to still be undefeated, but we have to keep on working.”
Earlier, on-loan duo Henri Saivet and Jordan Veretout scored their first Saint-Etienne goals since returning to France from Newcastle United and Aston Villa respectively in a 2-0 win at Caen.
Monaco reclaimed second place on Friday from PSG with a 6-2 demolition of Montpellier at the Stade Louis II.