For the first time in five years, Marseille will be competing for the Trophée des Champions. The last time they took part in the competition, they lost to Paris in January 2021 (2-1). The Marseillais, three-time winners of the Trophée des Champions, have not won this trophy since 2011 when they beat Lille (4-5).
As for Paris Saint-Germain, they have made this competition one of their favorites. Winners of 11 of the last 12 editions of the Trophée des Champions, Les Rouge et Bleu are the three-time defending champions, with their latest victory coming last season against Monaco (1-0). In total, the Parisians have won it 13 times.
1 – OM could win its first title since April 2012, ending a drought lasting 13 years and 269 days.
8 – Paris Saint-Germain have won eight of its last nine finals, the exception being the defeat in the 2025 Club World Cup.
52 – Paris have won 52 times against Marseille in all competitions, surpassed only by Nantes (55 wins) and Saint-Étienne (53).
In goal, Roberto De Zerbi will naturally rely on Gerónimo Rulli, who has established himself as Marseille's last line of defense. The Argentine international should be able to count on his captain and compatriot Leonardo Balerdi, who was absent last weekend but is back in the squad. If Balerdi is unavailable, CJ Egan-Riley could start, while Benjamin Pavard is expected to play at right centre back and Facundo Medina is the favorite to start at left centre back.
At right back, Timothy Weah seems to have the edge over Amir Murillo, despite the latter offering more defensive assurance. It remains to be seen what game plan the Italian tactician will opt for, with Emerson likely to take his place on the opposite flank. In midfield, Marseille will have to cope with the absence of Arthur Vermeeren and Bilal Nadir, who are both suspended for the match. But this should not affect the plans of the Marseille coaching staff, who are likely to rely on Matt O'Riley to support Pierre-Emile Højbjerg.
Geoffrey Kondogbia is also expected to take part in the match, while Angel Gomes represents a more offensive option. Finally, in attack, the Bouches-du-Rhône side can once again count on Amine Gouiri and Hamed Traoré, who are back on the pitch. However, neither of them is expected to start the match against Paris, as Igor Paixão (8 goals and 3 assists in all competitions this season) is performing well on the left wing, and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (8 goals, 10 assists) is tipped to start at centre forward.
As for the right wing, it will of course be occupied by Mason Greenwood, his team's main offensive threat, with 15 goals and 4 assists to his name this season. Often decisive when he comes on as a substitute, the promising Robinho Vaz (4 goals, 2 assists) could also get some playing time against Les Rouge et Bleu. We can expect a thrilling clash at the Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium!
