On May 21, 2016, Olympique Marseille faced Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in the final of the Coupe de France at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis. PSG secured a convincing 4-2 victory, completing a domestic treble and extending their dominance in French football.
Key Statistics and Analysis
- Scoreline and Goal Timings:
- Olympique Marseille: 2 (Florian Thauvin 12′, Michy Batshuayi 87′)
- Paris Saint-Germain: 4 (Blaise Matuidi 3′, Zlatan Ibrahimović 47′ (pen.), 82′, Edinson Cavani 57′)
- Possession:
- Paris Saint-Germain controlled the game with 59% possession, while Marseille had 41%. PSG’s dominance in possession allowed them to dictate the pace and control the flow of the match.
- Shots:
- Paris Saint-Germain registered 15 shots, with 7 on target, reflecting their attacking efficiency and ability to capitalize on key moments. Olympique Marseille had 10 shots, with 5 on target, showing their attempts to stay in the game despite being outplayed for much of the match.
- Passing Accuracy:
- Paris Saint-Germain had a high passing accuracy of 88%, completing 615 passes out of 700 attempts. Olympique Marseille had a passing accuracy of 81%, completing 368 passes out of 454 attempts. PSG’s superior ball retention allowed them to control the match and build attacks methodically.
- Defensive Statistics:
- PSG made 14 tackles compared to Marseille’s 17, showcasing Marseille’s efforts to regain possession and disrupt PSG’s play. However, PSG’s defense, led by Thiago Silva and Marquinhos, was solid throughout, limiting Marseille’s opportunities.
- Set Pieces:
- PSG’s goals came from a combination of open play and a penalty. Blaise Matuidi opened the scoring in the 3rd minute with a header after a cross from Angel Di María. Marseille equalized through Florian Thauvin’s long-range strike in the 12th minute. Zlatan Ibrahimović restored PSG’s lead with a penalty early in the second half after Steve Mandanda fouled Di María in the box. Edinson Cavani added a third goal with a low shot after a quick counter-attack, and Ibrahimović sealed the win with his second goal in the 82nd minute. Michy Batshuayi scored a late consolation goal for Marseille in the 87th minute with a close-range finish.
- Individual Performances:
- Zlatan Ibrahimović was the standout performer for PSG, scoring twice and assisting one, demonstrating his quality and importance to the team. Angel Di María was also crucial, providing assists and causing problems for Marseille’s defense throughout the match. For Marseille, Florian Thauvin was the brightest player, scoring a well-taken goal, while Michy Batshuayi showed his poacher’s instinct with a late goal.
- Tactical Overview:
- Paris Saint-Germain, under Laurent Blanc, employed a 4-3-3 formation, focusing on dominating the midfield and using their attacking trio to exploit spaces in Marseille’s defense. Olympique Marseille, managed by Franck Passi, used a 4-2-3-1 formation, aiming to counter-attack and use the pace of Thauvin and Batshuayi to create chances. However, PSG’s tactical discipline and quality in key moments were too much for Marseille to handle.
- Disciplinary:
- The match saw three yellow cards, two for Marseille (Abdelaziz Barrada 39′, Nicolas Nkoulou 67′) and one for PSG (Thiago Motta 77′). The fouls were largely tactical, aimed at breaking up play and preventing dangerous attacks.
- Corners and Offsides:
- Paris Saint-Germain won 6 corners compared to Marseille’s 4, reflecting their sustained pressure throughout the match. Both teams were caught offside twice, indicating their attempts to stretch the opposition’s defense and create scoring opportunities.
Summary
Paris Saint-Germain’s 4-2 victory over Olympique Marseille in the Coupe de France final capped off a dominant domestic season for the Parisian club, as they completed a treble with the Ligue 1 title, Coupe de la Ligue, and Coupe de France. The match was defined by PSG’s superior quality and Zlatan Ibrahimović’s standout performance in what would be one of his last appearances for the club.
PSG took an early lead through Blaise Matuidi, but Marseille responded quickly with a brilliant goal from Florian Thauvin. However, PSG regained control, with Ibrahimović converting a penalty early in the second half before setting up Cavani for the third goal. Ibrahimović then scored his second goal of the match to secure the victory. Michy Batshuayi’s late goal was a mere consolation for Marseille.
The result highlighted PSG’s dominance in French football, with their ability to control matches and capitalize on their chances being the key factors in their success. Marseille, despite a spirited performance, were outclassed by a team that was superior in every department.
The victory added another trophy to PSG’s collection and marked the end of an era for Ibrahimović at the club, who left a lasting legacy with his contributions. For Marseille, the match underscored the need for improvement and rebuilding to challenge PSG’s supremacy in the future.
