OM – Jean-Pierre Papin blown away by Marseille’s win over PSG

Papin won over by Olympian desire

The Vélodrome shook on Monday night, and not just because of the rain. OM brought down PSG (1-0), and this performance did not go unnoticed by a legend: Jean-Pierre Papin. Invited on RMC Sport, the former Ballon d’Or winner and Olympian captain expressed his full admiration for the intensity and spirit of Roberto De Zerbi’s men:

“I enjoyed myself. It had been a long time since I’d seen OM play with so much desire, impact, seriousness, and physical commitment.”

Greenwood’s winning goal, the defensive intensity, and the collective pressing particularly impressed “JPP,” who sees in this display the sign of an OM finally capable of standing up to the Parisian steamroller.

Greenwood and the coach’s analysis highlighted

Papin made sure to mention Mason Greenwood, decisive scorer and surprisingly effective defensively:

“I saw Greenwood doing things he wasn’t used to doing. The team was very solid defensively and showed the desire to go after the Parisians very high up the pitch. That means the coach had analyzed the match very well.”

A statement that sounds like clear support for Roberto De Zerbi’s project, praised for his reading of the game and his ability to uplift his squad in major encounters.

A tougher second half but valuable substitutes

While OM dominated the first half, the second was harder to manage. Papin admitted:

“Those 45 minutes felt very long. But this team didn’t let up in any area.”

The former Olympian striker made sure to congratulate the substitutes, who held things together when Paris was pushing: “It’s not easy to come into a game like that… It’s a relief for everyone. For the players, because it had been such a long time since we’d beaten PSG.”

A symbolic and foundational victory

For Papin, this victory goes beyond three points: it represents a breath of fresh air, proof of character, and a strong symbol for the Marseille people. Long criticized for his statements after the Real Madrid match, JPP wanted to remind everyone that he remains a lover of this club, always ready to marvel when OM rises to the occasion.

On Monday night, there were no more doubts: the Vélodrome roared, OM won, and even Papin found his childlike smile again.