Paris Saint-Germain inflicted a crushing 5-0 defeat on Olympique de Marseille on Sunday at Parc des Princes in Ligue 1. Ousmane Dembélé, who scored twice and provided an assist, stated that this victory signals PSG's return for the second half of the season. Meanwhile, Marseille coach Roberto De Zerbi expressed sadness but determination after this humiliation.
The clash between PSG and OM, played on Sunday at Parc des Princes, ended in a resounding 5-0 victory for the Parisians. Ousmane Dembélé was the man of the match, scoring twice and providing an assist. Questioned on Ligue 1+, the Ballon d'Or declared: “We were eager to put on a great performance and send a message to everyone: we're back, and we'll do everything to win titles in the second half of the season.” He added that this performance underscores the match's importance for Parisian fans and comes at the right time after Lens's win the day before, allowing PSG to reclaim the top spot.
Dembélé compared this match to a turning point similar to last year's game against Manchester City, noting that the team managed the first half of the season well unlike the previous one. On a personal level, he feels better physically after injuries and is putting intensity into loose balls. Regarding his second goal, he explained: “It's instinct; I put a lot of intensity on the first balls, eliminate two opponents, and just have to shoot.” He concluded by prioritizing collective titles over another Ballon d'Or.
On the Marseille side, Roberto De Zerbi, with a marked face, criticized his team in the press conference: “The players scattered. We lost the match in all sectors tonight.” Sad but not discouraged, he takes responsibility without clear explanations, describing his OM as a team on a “rollercoaster.” OM, knocked off the podium by Lyon's return, is now 4th in Ligue 1. De Zerbi defended his tactical choices, like the five-man defense that had worked earlier, and Rulli's benching to preserve him. He stressed the decisive second half of the season for the podium, depending on which version of his team shows up.