Marseille hand PSG opening Ligue 1 defeat of campaign at Velodrome

Defender Nayef Aguerd struck early to secure a 1-0 victory for Marseille against defending champions Paris Saint-Germain on Monday, marking a scarce triumph in their heated rivalry amid a match postponed by a day due to storms across southern France.

The Moroccan centre-back, who joined from West Ham United right before the transfer window closed, netted his second Ligue 1 goal for Marseille in consecutive outings, heading home after just five minutes at the Velodrome.

PSG custodian Lucas Chevalier raced out to claim a deflected cross from Mason Greenwood yet failed to connect, leaving Aguerd free to nod the ball into an empty goal for the decisive strike.

"Losing matches is not something we are accustomed to," remarked PSG manager Luis Enrique, whose team remained unbeaten in Ligue 1 last term until late April.

"Our performance was solid and we merited a better outcome. Dropping points in such a fixture is tough, yet as champions we must press on and gear up thoroughly for the upcoming encounter."

This marquee clash in French football, originally set for Sunday, got scrapped over concerns from officials that predicted downpours posed dangers to participants and fans alike.

Given the congested schedule and both sides commitments in the Champions League, the game shifted by only 24 hours.

The rescheduling clashed inconveniently for PSG with the Ballon d'Or gala in Paris, where numerous players from their roster contended for the mens player award.

Ousmane Dembele, last seasons leading marksman for the Champions League victors, made it to the event after sitting out the Marseille tie through injury.

Luis Enrique missed Dembele on the pitch, alongside other sidelined stars Desire Doue and Joao Neves.

Achraf Hakimi shifted up from right-back to wide areas, but PSG still fielded a formidable lineup.

Even so, Marseille clung to their initial advantage post-Aguerds opener, notching their first Ligue 1 home win over PSG since November 2011.

That header ended a drought since 2017 for scoring at home against PSG in the top flight. Amine Gouiri struck the woodwork shortly after as Marseille aimed to extend their edge.

The hosts saw a further effort ruled out for offside before the interval, while keeper Geronimo Rulli produced vital stops to thwart PSG attacks in the second period.

Marseille managed to close out the win, though not without temperamental boss Roberto De Zerbi receiving a late dismissal from the sidelines.

This marks PSGs initial setback this season after four straight Ligue 1 triumphs. They slip from the summit, trailing Monaco on goal difference.

PSG and Monaco both sit on 12 points, matched by Lyon and Strasbourg in the top four spots.

Marseille climb to sixth, trailing the leaders by three points.