Dubai Telegraph - Marseille hoping to prove title credentials after win over PSG

OM threatened early last season to challenge PSG's dominance of the French top flight before falling away, finishing 19 points adrift of their rivals despite taking second place.

De Zerbi, who will miss the Strasbourg game through suspension after being sent off late on during Monday's 1-0 win, has made no secret of his desire to compete for the title since joining just over a year ago.

A fifth-minute Marquinhos own goal was enough for Marseille to claim their first home league success over PSG since 2011, ending a winless run of 12 meetings.

"The squad is strong, we know that, but Friday will be even more important," De Zerbi said of facing Strasbourg, who are level on points with leaders PSG with four wins from five matches.

"I've already warned the players, they know it. If we beat Paris and don't turn up against Strasbourg, it means we're not a great team."

Marseille are still waiting for their 10th Ligue 1 title and first since 2010.

PSG also took away one of OM's remaining bragging rights in France last season by becoming only the second French club after the southerners to win the Champions League.

"I came to Marseille for the Velodrome and also to beat PSG, the team that embodies power and has been winning for years without the others being able to truly compete," added former Brighton boss De Zerbi.

"And that's something I won't accept."

Marseille have lost all three of their away games so far this season, at Lyon, Rennes and Real Madrid, while Strasbourg have won both their games at the Stade de la Meinau without conceding a goal.

- Dembele to parade Ballon d'Or -

There was still reason for PSG to celebrate on Monday, as forward Ousmane Dembele won the Ballon d'Or award for the world's best player at a glamorous ceremony in Paris.

The Frenchman will parade his trophy in front of the fans at the Parc des Princes before the Ligue 1 champions' match against Auxerre on Saturday.

But it has not been the smoothest of starts this term for Luis Enrique's men off the pitch, with key players Dembele, Desire Doue, Bradley Barcola and Joao Neves all sidelined.

Luis Enrique will be desperate to avoid any further injuries ahead of Wednesday's Champions League trip to face Barcelona and Lamine Yamal, the man Dembele edged into second place in the Ballon d'Or voting.

Elsewhere, Monaco, who lead the early table from PSG on goals scored, host struggling newly-promoted club Lorient.

Lyon, also level at the top on 12 points, visit Lille who are hoping to bounce back from a 3-0 thumping by local rivals Lens.

Player to watch: Ilan Kebbal

The Algerian has been a stand-out player in recent seasons for Paris FC, but could have been forgiven for worrying about his place in the side following promotion and the arrivals of Moses Simon and Willem Geubbels.

Kebbal's only previous season in Ligue 1 was disappointing, with just one goal in 31 appearances for Reims in the 2021/22 campaign.

But he has adjusted to the top flight quickly this term, with three goals and two assists taking him to the top of the goalscoring charts.

Paris FC, playing in Ligue 1 for the first time since 1979, visit Nice on Sunday bidding to bounce back from a 3-2 loss to Strasbourg.

Key stats

3 - PSG have lost three of their last nine Ligue 1 games, having tasted defeat only once in their previous 59.

6 - Strasbourg are on a six-match unbeaten run against Marseille, albeit with five draws.

14 - Years since Auxerre last beat PSG.

Fixtures (times GMT)

Friday

Strasbourg v Marseille (1845)

Saturday

Lorient v Monaco (1500), Toulouse v Nantes (1700), Paris Saint-Germain v Auxerre (1905)

Sunday

Nice v Paris FC (1300), Angers v Brest, Metz v Le Havre, Lille v Lyon (all 1515), Rennes v Lens (1845)

H.Yousef--DT