Marseille hold PSG in drab ‘Classique’

Misfiring Cavani has evening to forget

PARIS, Oct 24, (AFP): There was nothing “Classique” about it as Paris Saint-Germain and bitter rivals Marseille conjured up an uninspiring 0-0 draw in relentless rain in the French capital.

Billed as the Ligue 1 clash to rival Spain’s El Clasico, this was a poor advert for French football and did little to dispel the impression that reigning champions PSG are struggling to get to grips with coach Unai Emery’s methods.

Misfiring PSG striker Edinson Cavani had an evening to forget and the damp stalemate leaves his side in third, two points behind Monaco and six inferior to surprise leaders Nice, who won again despite missing the injured Mario Balotelli.

There was plenty of rain and endeavour at the Parc des Princes in Paris in the first half but precious little goalmouth action.

Struggling in mid-table, Marseille, under new American ownership and with new coach Rudi Garcia in charge for the first time, were pinned back for long periods but the Parisians did little with the ball.

It took until 10 minutes before the break for the first real chance of the game, Cavani heading wastefully over for the home side when unmarked and then Serge Aurier shooting straight at Marseille goalkeeper Yohann Pele. the instability that has blighted the fallen giants.

On 69 minutes Cavani was guilty again 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 longhaired Uruguayan made it a hat-trick of misses, prodding wide from close range when under pressure.

Standings

P W D

L GF GA Pts

Nice 10 8 2 0 20 7 26 Monaco 10 7 1 2 29 14 22 PSG 10 6 2 2 19 7 20 Toulouse 10 5 3 2 14 7 18 Guingamp 10 5 2 3 13 9 17 Rennes 10 5 2 3 12 12 17 Etienne 10 4 4 2 13 9 16 Bordeaux 10 4 3 3 13 12 15 Angers 10 4 2 4 10 10 14 Lyon 10 4 1 5 16 14 13 Marseille 10 3 4 3 11 10 13 Metz 10 4 1 5 11 20 13 Dijon 10 3 3 4 13 14 12 Nantes 10 3 2 5 7 11 11 Bastia 10 3 1 6 8 10 10 Lille 10 3 1 6 10 16 10 Montpellier 10 2 4 4 14 23 10 Caen 10 3 1 6 9 19 10 Nancy 10 1 3 6 5 13 6 Lorient 10 2 0 8 6 16 6

Note: Standings read as played, won, drawn, lost, goals for, goals against and points. PSG’s Blaise Matuidi (left), challenges for the ball with Marseille’s Zinedine Machach during their French soccer match between PSG and Marseille at

the Parc des Princes Stadium in Paris, France on Oct 23. (AP)