Ligue 1 2018-19: 3 Observations from PSG's 2-0 victory over Marseille

Marseille hosted the French Champions Paris Saint-Germain in front of a raucous home crowd who even got a little hostile towards PSG players in certain moments of the game (particularly Neymar Jr.), but despite the atmosphere, it was the French champions who came out on top whilst making it 11 league wins in a row. (a new record)

Paris started the game with a makeshift backline and a change in formation and personnel from the draw against Napoli, as Thiago Silva and Presnel Kimpembe were injured and not selected respectively for today's big game. This resulted in the Parisiens lining up with Marquinhos, Thilo Kehrer and Stanley N'soki in a back three with Juan Bernat and Thomas playing as wingbacks.

Julian Draxler was selected in midfield ahead of Adrien Rabiot, but it was in attack where we got the real surprise as Mbappe was dropped in place of Eric Chuopo-Moting, the summer signing from Stoke City, who was mediocre at best in his first league start since 7-March. Edinson Cavani was unavailable due to a thigh injury.

Marseille boss Rudi Garcia picked a strong lineup with Dimitri Payet and Lucas Oscampos starting in attack alongside Florian Thauvin with no actual striker involved from the first whistle. The game was enthralling and end to end and could have gone anyway in the first hour, but Thomas Tuchel brought on the world's best teenager who clinched PSG's first just minutes after coming on, and his arrival increased the tempo of play. Julian Draxler completed the scoring in the 95th minute as the Ligue1 defending champions defeated Marseille 2-0.

Here are some observations from the match:

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1) Ligue 1 is too easy for PSG :

Despite playing with a depleted lineup, PSG at no point looked like losing the match.

Paris St. Germain have had quite a change of fortunes since they were taken over by Qatari investment in 2011, and over the past 7 years, they have developed gradually into a fearsome unit capable of beating anyone on their day. In the league things seem to be a bit too easy for the French champions as they strolled to yet another victory, leveling the European record for most consecutive league wins set by Tottenham back in 1960-61.

The gradual decline of the clubs around them and their regular strengthening has lead into making the capital giants the strongest club in France by some distance. Every other club in France is forced to sell off their best players every transfer window to maintain the books whilst still trying to remain competitive, but that simply has not worked out as the league looks as weak as it has in quite some time. Other clubs need to step up to challenge their monopoly on the league otherwise people might soon start getting disinterested in following French top-flight football altogether.

2) Kylian Mbappe is a beast who's only going to get better

Three minutes, that's all it took for Kylian Mbappe had come off the bench for Chupo-Moting, and given his side the lead by showcasing some of his best traits. He was released wide on the right by Di Maria, and he absolutely skinned Amavi for pace and nestled a perfect finish under Mandanda's right foot in the far corner of the net. It was breathtaking.

Marseille had been in the game so far and created some opportunities but just weren't clinical enough to put PSG's keeper to the test too often on the night, and it very much looked like a well fought 0-0 draw in the making. That was of course until the World's golden boy stepped on the pitch and decided against it, and went ahead to single-handedly decide the course of the biggest club football fixture in France at the ripe old age of 19. The football world may be witnessing the rise of the world's next best footballer. It must be Cherished.

3) Rudi Garcia got his tactics all wrong

Deciding who plays in the most important match of the season so far can be difficult for any coach. So many things to consider, so many complications and egos, but the manager has to make a decision based on all the knowledge and information he compiles and field the strongest set of 11 players to come out victorious.

When it works, the manager is a tactical genius, and when it doesn't it just feels like the weight of the world might come crashing down on them. The latter happened tonight for Marseille gaffer Rudi Garcia, as he decided to start with 3 wingers and no orthodox striker, and ended up paying for it. Without a focal point to lead the charge, Thauvin and Payet looked above for passes only to see no one there but each other, and they couldn't create too many chances through the middle where PSG was looking weaker of the two sides.

His side was unfortunate to not score even once, as they hit the woodwork once and a free kick that went in was disallowed as Marquinhos was fouled in the technical area. Having two fit strikers and choosing to bench both was a decision that raised eyebrows.