Paris St Germain vs Marseille - Unai Emery not expecting big changes yet from Marseille

Posted Saturday, October 22, 2016 by PA

Unai Emery is not expecting Rudi Garcia's arrival to dramatically change Marseille - at least not this week.

Garcia was appointed during the week by OM's new American owner Frank McCourt and begins his reign with perhaps the toughest test imaginable, away to Emery's Paris St Germain side.

Emery told psg.fr: "The appointment of Rudi Garcia will change things but, having come in so late, he will not have had chance to make big changes in the team.

"From our point of view we are preparing for the match based on the nine games Marseille have played so far, while also studying the style of Rudi Garcia's former teams.

"Le Classique is a different match, a special match. And after a new coach arrives, it's normal that the players step up and show even more effort than usual. So there are at least two reasons for Marseille to produce a good performance.

"For me, every match is important as we defend the colours of Paris St Germain. That is the case for the players and also for me. But the match against Marseille has a particular flavour and we play it in front of our supporters, who make the match that bit more special."

Javier Pastore is PSG's only absentee, with Thiago Motta, Marco Verratti and Angel Di Maria all proving their fitness in training. Emery will take a late decision on whether to play Motta from the start.

Garcia took over with Marseille languishing in the bottom half of Ligue 1, albeit within striking distance of the European places in a congested table.

Speaking to the club's official website, defender Rod Fanni said of his arrival: "It can be a boost for the team, perhaps.

"He knows what he wants to do, he's very clear in training, he already has a vision for us and for what he wants to achieve with us."

Emery believes Marseille's takeover is good news for Ligue 1, and even for his team.

"I think it's a good thing that a new investor has arrived at the head of the club to give the team the possibility to develop," he said.

"The league needs good teams and good players. Paris St Germain also need to have strong rivals in the championship."

One of Marseille's most famous fans, Zinedine Zidane, also has high hopes for the club's new era.

The Real Madrid coach and former France international said of McCourt: "He is arriving with a new project, a new coach. I hope we can see Marseille return to the top. The project is in place to hope for that."