By Blix

Matches between the Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and the Olympique de Marseille (OM) are the most anticipated of the French Ligue 1 season.

As soon as the calendar is released, the first look goes to the dates of PSG - OM and OM - PSG. The two clubs are, by far and despite of the domination of Lyon for the past few years, the two most popular clubs in France. However, for the first time since Marseille got promoted back to the first division in 1997, both clubs are in the top 5 of the table this late in the season. It has been an eternity indeed.

Since then, either both or one of these two clubs was usually not involved into the race for the title or even European qualifying spots.

With 10 matches to go this season, not only are PSG and Marseille still near the top of the table, but PSG could have had taken the lead of the Ligue 1 with a win against its rival, thanks to the loss conceded by seven-time title holder Lyon to Auxerre at home earlier on that Sunday (march 15^th).

Many times this season, Lyon’s lead in the championship has been endangered as a few clubs seek to shake their dominance. Bordeaux was in the mix but squandered their opportunities to reach the top several times. Marseille too but they let things slip away as well - including a 4-2 loss to PSG. In turn, PSG, just like their opponents, failed to dethrone Lyon.

As you understood, a lot was at stake in that PSG - Marseille.

After having dominated their opposition early, Marseille took the lead with a goal by Zenden at the 25^th minute on a nice feed from Brandao - the striker bought 8 millions from Chakhtior Donetsk this winter.

This goal woke up les Parisiens who showed little concern in the match up to that point. The end of the 1^st period was theirs and after a few alerts for OM, their defense was eventually fooled by the position of PSG’s striker Guillaume Hoarau on a deep pass from Luyindula. Hoarau was offside, but not former France team’s member Ludovic Giuly who collected the pass and went on to beat Marseille’s goalkeeper Steeve Mandanda on a one-on-one a few minutes before the final whistle of the first period.

Both teams had their period of domination during the first half and so the even score line seemed appropriate heading to the dressing rooms.

At the start of the second period, PSG players looked to be willing to carry on with their domination of the end of the first period.

However, eight minutes into the period, Brandao flicked a long ball with his head towards Zenden who was subsequently irregularly tackled by PSG’s defender Camara. That moment of harshness resulted in a red card for Camara and a dangerous free-kick for OM. The free-kick struck by Zenden was stopped by Michaël Landreau but the ball bounced on Marseille’s forward Bakary Koné’s knee and finally crossed the line.

Despite being short-handed and trailing by a goal, PSG kept its offensive options and carried on with only 3 defenders on the pitch. Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough.

Five minutes after OM’s second goal, the Olympiens scored their third on a strike from the 20-meters by their captain Lorik Cana (who started his professional career with PSG) flicked on its way by the heel of PSG’s 19-year old wonder kid Mamadou Sakho.

This sealed PSG’s fate. Marseille waited and tried to counter attack while PSG unsuccessfully tried to score a goal to get itself back in the match. Ludovic Giuly could have scored a wonderful goal on a volley from the 16-meters line on a long pass from left midfielder Jérôme Rothen but Madanda nicely punched it away. The score was not going to change and Marseille celebrated a 3-1 victory over its fiercest rival.

The consequences of this result translate into a tighter race for the championship: PSG and OM are now tied for second with 52 points. Lyon maintains its lead on top with 53 points. They are followed by Bordeaux (50 points), Toulouse and Lille (49 points each) who are still challengers for European spots - and perhaps the title?

As you can see, it promises to be an entertaining last few weeks in France.