The newly promoted Paris FC experienced the harsh realities of Ligue 1 football, suffering a 5-2 defeat at the hands of last season’s runners-up, Marseille, despite Nigerian international Moses Simon scoring his first goal for the club. The match, held at the Stade Vélodrome, saw Marseille dominate proceedings, showcasing their attacking prowess and ruthlessly exploiting Paris FC’s defensive vulnerabilities. While Simon’s equalizer offered a glimmer of hope for the visitors, it proved to be a mere consolation in a match that ultimately highlighted the gulf in class between the two sides.
The encounter began with Marseille asserting their dominance from the outset. Mason Greenwood, making his presence felt early on, opened the scoring from the penalty spot just 15 minutes into the game. The pressure continued to mount on the Paris FC defense, and shortly thereafter, former Arsenal striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang doubled Marseille’s lead, capitalizing on a close-range opportunity. Although facing a two-goal deficit, Paris FC displayed resilience and refused to capitulate. Ilan Kebbal, with a moment of individual brilliance, curled a stunning strike into the far corner, giving the travelling Paris FC fans a reason to believe a comeback might be possible.
Simon’s moment of glory arrived early in the second half. Capitalizing on a clever pass from Kebbal that sliced through the Marseille defense, Simon found himself in a prime position at the back post. With composure and precision, he drove the ball low into the net, leveling the score at 2-2. The goal injected a surge of optimism among the Paris FC supporters, who had dared to dream of a shock result against the Ligue 1 giants. However, their hopes were soon dashed as Marseille’s attacking firepower proved too much to contain.
Marseille swiftly regained control of the match, and Aubameyang restored their lead, punishing a lapse in the Paris FC defense. The momentum firmly swung back in Marseille’s favor, and they continued to press their advantage. Substitute Bilal Nadir then set up Pierre-Emile Højbjerg for a crisp finish from the edge of the box, extending Marseille’s lead to 4-2. The final blow came in stoppage time when Robinho Vaz added further gloss to the scoreline, firing past the helpless Paris FC goalkeeper. Greenwood had the opportunity to complete a brace with a second penalty late in the game, but his effort was superbly saved, denying him a second goal but leaving no doubt about his impactful performance.
For Paris FC, the defeat underscored the significant challenge they face in their return to Ligue 1 after a 46-year absence. Their opening day loss to Rennes had served as an early warning, and the match against Marseille further exposed their defensive frailties. The newly-promoted side will need to address these issues quickly if they hope to compete at this level.
The loss leaves Paris FC still searching for their first points of the season. They will have an opportunity to rectify this when they host Metz next weekend before the international break. The match against Metz will be crucial for Paris FC to build confidence and begin to establish themselves in the league. They will need to learn from the mistakes made against Marseille and demonstrate greater defensive solidity if they are to achieve a positive result against Metz and begin their climb up the Ligue 1 table.
