Vitinha scores as 10-man away team beats Marseille in Ligue 1 match.
Paris Saint-Germain’s Portuguese midfielder #17 Vitinha celebrated after scoring the opening goal in the French L1 football match against Olympique Marseille (OM) at Stade Velodrome in Marseille. Despite playing with 10 men for over half of the game and substituting star player Kylian Mbappe, PSG emerged victorious in Le Classique.
Lucas Beraldo was shown a straight red card after VAR intervention for a foul on Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang just before half-time. PSG dominated the early stages of the match but didn’t create many opportunities. However, in the second half, they played on the counterattack and scored two goals through Vitinha and Goncalo Ramos.
Mbappe was visibly unhappy when he was replaced by Ramos midway through the second half, but manager Luis Enrique’s decision proved to be correct. Marseille had several shots on target, but Gianluigi Donnarumma made seven saves to secure the win for PSG, who are now 12 points clear at the top of Ligue 1.
This performance may not have struck fear in potential UEFA Champions League opponents like Barcelona, but it showcased a resilience rarely seen from PSG. With Beraldo’s sending off, they were forced to defend for much of the game, which could be a preview of what they will face in the quarter-final second leg at the Nou Camp in two-and-a-half weeks. Marseille’s wastefulness in front of goal played into PSG’s hands, but their dedication to collective defending was impressive.
Vitinha was named the Player of the Match, although Donnarumma also had a strong performance with multiple saves. Vitinha’s block from Amine Harit matched Donnarumma’s saves from the Marseille winger. In possession, Vitinha was near flawless, keeping the ball and playing it to his teammates in attacking positions. His partnership with Ousmane Dembele for the goal was particularly impressive.
Player Ratings:
Marseille:
– Pau Lopez 6
– Garcia 6
– Mbemba 6
– Balerdi 6
– Merlin 6
– Kondogbia 5
– Veretout 7
– Harit 7
– Luis Henrique 6
– Aubameyang 6
– Ndiaye 6
Subs:
– Gigot 6
– Moumbagna 6
– Gueye 6
– Ounahi 6
PSG:
– Donnarumma 8
– Hakimi 7
– Danilo 7
– Beraldo 5
– Lucas Hernandez 6
– Vitinha 8*
– Fabian Ruiz 6
– Zaire-Emery 6
– Dembele 7
– Mbappe 6
– Kolo Muani 6
Subs:
– Lee 6
– Ramos 7
– Asensio 7
– Ugarte 7
– Skriniar 5
In the match highlights, Veretout had a great effort from the edge of the box that hit the post. Beraldo was then shown a red card, which seemed harsh, but PSG managed to hold on with 10 men. Vitinha scored the opening goal on the counterattack, and Veretout’s goal was disallowed due to an offside position. Ramos sealed the victory for PSG with a goal late in the game. Donnarumma made crucial saves to deny Marseille any chance of a comeback.
Overall, PSG showed resilience in a game where they had to defend for long periods. While their performance may not have been spectacular, their dedication to collective defending was commendable. Vitinha was the standout player, but Donnarumma also played a crucial role in securing the win. PSG’s victory puts them in a strong position at the top of Ligue 1.