A Tale of Two Cities: Derby Fury in Marseille, Gala Glamour in Paris
Marseille, France – The highly anticipated “Le Classique” between Olympique de Marseille and Paris Saint-Germain, initially postponed due to severe weather conditions, is now set to take place today, creating an unprecedented clash with the prestigious Ballon d’Or ceremony in Paris. The rescheduling has ignited a saga of frustration and logistical nightmares, particularly for PSG, whose star players are nominated for football’s highest individual honor.
The original fixture, slated for Sunday evening at the Stade Vélodrome, was called off just hours before kick-off as heavy rainfall and violent storms battered the Marseille region, raising safety concerns for players and the expected 67,000 spectators. The Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP) swiftly announced the match would be played on Monday, September 22nd, at 8:00 PM local time.
The decision, while prioritizing safety, has sparked a wave of controversy. The new kick-off time directly conflicts with the 2025 Ballon d’Or gala, where several PSG players, including a frontrunner for the coveted award, Ousmane Dembélé, were expected to be in attendance. This has led to a tense back-and-forth, with reports suggesting PSG unsuccessfully pushed for an earlier kick-off on Monday to allow their players to attend both events.
Marseille, on their part, have stood firm on the rescheduled time, adhering to LFP regulations. In an official statement, the club acknowledged the decision of the Bouches-du-Rhône Prefecture to postpone the match for safety reasons and confirmed the new date and time.
𝐂𝐋𝐀𝐒𝐒𝐈𝐐𝐔𝐄 𝐃𝐀𝐘 🔥
— Olympique de Marseille 🇬🇧 🇺🇸 (@OM_English) September 21, 2025
Tonight, our Olympiens host Paris SG at a roaring @orangevelodrome 🏟️⚡️
KO: 20:45 CET | 19:45 BST 💙🤍 #OMPSG
pic.twitter.com/f5QbfqbWuz
The clash has cast a shadow over what should be a celebratory night for French football. The Ballon d’Or ceremony, a globally televised event, will now be without some of its key attendees, while “Le Classique,” one of the most fiercely contested derbies in European football, will have its own unique and somewhat surreal backdrop.
Probable Lineups and Team News
The unexpected rescheduling and the packed fixture list for both clubs add an extra layer of complexity to team selection.
Olympique de Marseille: Manager Jean-Louis Gasset will be without a couple of key midfielders. Geoffrey Kondogbia is sidelined with a calf injury, and Hamed Traore is also unavailable.
Probable Marseille XI:
Paris Saint-Germain: The biggest question mark for Luis Enrique’s side revolves around the availability of their Ballon d’Or nominees. While the club’s official stance is that the match takes priority, the situation remains fluid. Star forward Ousmane Dembélé isn’t available due to a pre-existing injury, which ironically might allow him to attend the ceremony. Young talent Désiré Doué is also expected to be absent through injury.
Probable PSG XI:
The Odds
The bookmakers have positioned Paris Saint-Germain as the clear favorites to win the rescheduled “Le Classique,” despite the tumultuous build-up.
- PSG to win: Odds are hovering around 1.85, reflecting their dominant form in Ligue 1 and the perceived gap in quality between the two squads.
- Marseille to win: An upset victory for the home side is priced at approximately 4.00.
- Draw: A draw is considered a slightly more probable outcome than a Marseille win, with odds around 3.75.
The stage is set for a “Le Classique” unlike any other. While the storm on the pitch is yet to come, the storm off it has already made this a memorable and contentious chapter in the historic rivalry between Marseille and Paris Saint-Germain. All eyes will now be on the Stade Vélodrome tonight to see how this dramatic saga unfolds, even as the football world’s elite gather in Paris to celebrate the best of the beautiful game.
