PSG/OM, le clásico français

This article is in French. Click  here  to read it in English.

The football match Paris Saint-Germain/Olympique Marseille is the most followed by the championship of France Ligue 1 match. A recent and unique rivalry in France.

Like the great Spanish sports shocks between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid or between Italian Roma and Lazio Rome or between Inter Milan and AC Milan, the French league also has its clásico between Paris Saint-Germain and Olympique de Marseille.

A recent and well-French rivalry

Trumped by the Presidency of the two clubs in the 1990s, the rivalry between Paris and Marseille goes well beyond football . Founded in 1970, PSG joined the elite of French football a few years later. OM is already a great club and its main rivals are Saint Etienne and Bordeaux. During the first confrontation, PSG is always defeated.

The real rivalry between the two clubs was born during the outbreak of the Marseille club at European level, when OM won the European Cup in 1993. PSG, meanwhile, won a few years before his first title champion of France.

Both clubs are then among the best of the hexagon and two presidents, Bernard Tapie in Marseille and Michel Denisot to Paris, take advantage of this period when the two clubs competing for trophies to raise a certain rivalry. Tapie looking for a worthy opponent and finds in Paris image and the middle of a potential competitor. Canal +, owner of the Paris Club, uses this competition to create a television event and annual meeting at the summit of French football.

The culture clash between North and South of France

Beyond the sporting rivalry, the clásico is the match between the two largest French cities, Paris and Marseille, and clichés that accompany these two places. On the one hand, the French Capital and power; the other, the Mediterranean and South.

A meeting Paris / Marseille always camouflages sociological conflicts and cultural ties between the two parts of the distinct France. The supporters of both clubs have very opposite identities. Marseille like to remind their list, the greatest of French football, while Parisians feature a young but already awarded trophies and players exceptions history. This rivalry has often led to security measures designed to contain spills between supporters inside and outside the stands.

Paris Saint-Germain takes over

Recent performance and the arrival of the Qataris PSG added a spice added to this game. Marseille football scream “bling-bling” while Paris sees a new will and a global reputation.

The meeting of February 24, won 2-0 by Paris was marked by the first strides of David Beckham with his new club. The English superstar, newly arrived in the team entered the snowy field and played twenty minutes during this clash at the Parc des Princes. ‘Beck’ is already the darling of fans and media.

Everyone football was pointed at PSG to review the star wearing a European suit. While some are skeptical about his game, no doubt that the brand Beckham will revive the image of the club. He could rub another English player, Joey Barton, who plays for OM. Both players recently make a media with communications operations conducted smoothly.

Both goals were scored by other stars of the club, the Swede Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Brazilian Lucas. Zlatan, top scorer in the French league, is now the icon of the PSG and the French Ligue 1.
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References:
1. PSG official website .
2. Wikipedia Page PSG .
3. official website OM .
4. Wikipedia Page Om . ____ Image credits: 1.   Stade Velodrome by fredGLLS on Flickr. 2. PSG-OM, by Philippe Agnifili on Flickr. 3. Zlatan Ibrahimovic at Trocadero , by Jean-François beausejour on Flickr. 4.  Parc des Princes , by psgmag.net on Flickr. 5 . PSG David Beckham , by brunolaon on Flickr.