Why Marseille Are Genuine Contenders to PSG's Ligue 1 Crown

Even the most optimistic of Marseille supporters wouldn’t have predicted a title challenge this season. However, under the guidance and unique methods of Marcelo Bielsa, the turnaround has been as instant as it has been surprising and now they have to be considered genuine contenders for the Ligue 1 title.

After the disappointments of last season, Marseille would have struggled to play much worse no matter who was in charge this campaign. Under Elie Baup and then Sporting Director turned first-team coach Jose Anigo, the football, at time, was dreadful.

With Anigo in charge, the Marseille fans even turned to playing goat sounds through their tannoy system. Rather than simply boo the performances, they wanted to dismay their anger at the malaise that had engulfed the club.

The reaction from club president Vincent Labrune was to go all-out and hire the well-respected Argentine coach.

Claude Paris/Associated Press

Early-season expectations were that Marseille would improve and seriously challenge for a place in the top three. Monaco’s change in ambition opened a door and Bielsa’s attitude and style smashed it wide open.

The first couple of games had some expected teething problems. From leading 3-1 away at Bastia, they dropped two points, and that was followed by a 2-0 home defeat by Montpellier. Going forward they looked impressive and free-flowing, but the defence was showing holes and gaps in all areas.

Eventually Bielsa’s methods clicked and Marseille’s form improved drastically. Eight wins in a row followed, only stopped when they travelled away to Lyon and were unlucky not to score. The 1-0 defeat at the Stade Gerland was unfortunate, they weren’t outplayed, OM had their chances, but they just didn’t get the rub of the green.

In the 12 games played so far this season, Marseille have shown the qualities needed to go all the way. Against Caen, with the scores level, OM continued to push until the very last minute and got their rewards when Andre-Pierre Gignac scored the late winner.

When they travelled north to Reims, Bielsa’s side smelt blood. Unsatisfied by just winning by one or two goals, they pushed forward relentlessly and despite being 2-0 up at the half, they ended the game five goals up. It was a ruthless performance and one which showed the newfound desire of this team.

Victories against Rennes and Saint-Etienne at home were fantastic to watch. Under Bielsa, OM has tried to come out the blocks quickly, not giving their opponents time to settle, a trait that is rarely seen in Ligue 1 sides.

Claude Paris/Associated Press

They are deservedly top of the league and will be looking to rebuild their seven-point lead when they take on Paris Saint-Germain on Sunday evening. This will be the toughest test Bielsa has faced, and he will have to do it without three key members of his first team.

No matter what the result, even if it is a defeat at the Parc des Princes, it won’t stop Marseille being labelled contenders for this season’s Ligue 1 title. Week-in, week-out, PSG have not shown the mentality to attack the other Ligue 1 teams the way Marseille has.

You have to believe that with one eye on success in the Champions League, PSG will drop points as the season continues to unfold. Marseille has no European commitments this season and it will undoubtedly help as the games rack up.

David Vincent/Associated Press

Bielsa’s team has a wonderful mix of attributes; goals from Gignac, creativity from Dimitri Payet and Andre Ayew and drive and enthusiasm from Giannelli Imbula. It is a wonderful mix and, player for player, they have nothing to be envious of when they look at Sunday’s opponents.

With Ayew, Jeremy Morel and Alaixys Romao out suspended for Le Classique, it will force Bielsa to utilise the rest of his squad. We will definitely learn more about this OM side regardless of the result.

PSG has a battle on their hands this season. It may have been unexpected, but Marseille are here, they are here to stay and they are definitely serious contenders for the Parisians' Ligue 1 crown.