For the first time in over half a decade, French football’s fiercest rivalry takes centre stage in the Trophee des Champions, as PSG and Marseille meet on neutral soil in Kuwait. With silverware on the line and bragging rights at stake, Thursday’s final at the Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium promises tension, intensity, and very little margin for error.
PSG arrive as the competition’s modern-day specialists. Les Parisiens have dominated this fixture historically, lifting the trophy in 11 of their last 12 appearances and winning the last three finals without conceding a single goal. That ruthless efficiency has been a hallmark of their success in season openers, and it gives them a clear psychological edge heading into another high-pressure showdown.
Form, too, is on their side. PSG are unbeaten in five matches across all competitions and opened 2026 with a controlled 2-1 victory over Paris FC. While performances have not always been spectacular, they have been measured and effective, a trait that often defines cup finals. Their last appearance on Asian soil also ended in success, as they edged Flamengo after extra time to claim the Intercontinental Cup, reinforcing their comfort on the global stage.
Marseille, by contrast, arrive with something to prove. Roberto De Zerbi’s tenure has shown flashes of promise, but consistency remains elusive. The new year began with a disappointing 2-0 league defeat to Nantes, widening the gap to the top of Ligue 1. Yet, cup football offers a reset, and the chance to claim De Zerbi’s first trophy at the club could prove a powerful motivator.
Marseille’s pedigree in this competition should not be overlooked. This will be their seventh appearance in the final, and they have lifted the trophy twice this century, most memorably in a dramatic 5-4 win over Lille in 2011. Victory in Kuwait would move Les Phoceens level with AS Monaco on four all-time wins, a significant milestone in club history.
Encouragingly for Marseille, their away form has carried a sharper edge. They are on a two-match winning run on the road, scoring nine goals in the process, and have already produced several emphatic away displays against French opposition this season. Most notably, they defeated PSG 1-0 at the Stade Velodrome in September, a result that offers belief, even if replicating it on neutral territory is a far tougher task.
Recent history, however, leans heavily in PSG’s favour. Les Parisiens have won five straight meetings against Marseille when designated as the home side, including their last Trophee des Champions clash in 2021. Finals often hinge on composure, and PSG’s familiarity with this stage could again prove decisive. The Hard Tackle takes a look at how the clubs could line up on the night and what tactics they might employ.
PSG head into Thursday’s Trophee des Champions final against Marseille with a few notable absentees affecting both flanks and midfield depth. Achraf Hakimi remains unavailable as he continues his involvement with Morocco at the Africa Cup of Nations, depriving PSG of one of their most dynamic wide outlets.
Goalkeeping cover is also reduced, with Matvey Safonov sidelined by a hand injury. There is mild uncertainty surrounding Lee Kang-in, who is nursing a thigh strain and will be assessed closer to kick-off, though he is considered a doubt rather than a definite absentee.
Luis Enrique does, however, welcome encouraging continuity from the weekend’s win over Paris FC. Lucas Chevalier returned between the posts and is expected to retain his place after a composed display, while Desire Doue and Ousmane Dembele both found the net, reinforcing PSG’s attacking depth and flexibility heading into the clash.
Tactically, PSG are expected to line up in a 4-3-3 formation against Marseille, emphasising control through midfield and fluid movement across the front line. Lucas Chevalier should start in goal, protected by a back four featuring Warren Zaire-Emery at right-back, Marquinhos and Willian Pacho as the central defensive pairing, and Lucas Hernandez operating from left-back, providing both defensive stability and build-up support.
In midfield, Vitinha is likely to dictate the tempo and screening the defence, with Joao Neves offering progression and ball retention alongside Fabian Ruiz, who adds balance and late runs into the final third. Up front, Ousmane Dembele is expected to start on the right wing, Goncalo Ramos through the centre as the focal point, and Bradley Barcola on the left, using pace and direct dribbling to stretch Marseille’s back line.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Chevalier; Zaire-Emery, Marquinhos, Pacho, Hernandez; Neves, Vitinha, Ruiz; Dembele, Ramos, Barcola
Marseille arrive in Kuwait with relatively few fitness concerns, though there is some uncertainty around their goalkeeping depth. Ruben Blanco is doubtful due to a sore knee and is unlikely to feature, leaving Roberto De Zerbi expected to rely on his established first-choice option. In more positive news, Amine Gouiri returned to the squad last weekend after a lengthy injury layoff, providing an additional attacking option should Marseille need to alter their approach during the match.
Confidence between the posts remains high regardless. Geronimo Rulli kept a clean sheet the last time these two sides met in Ligue 1 back in September, a game Marseille won 1-0, helped by an own goal from PSG captain Marquinhos. That result will serve as a psychological reference point, even if the context of a neutral-venue final presents a very different challenge.
From a tactical standpoint, Marseille are expected to line up in a 3-4-2-1 formation, aiming to remain compact defensively while springing forward quickly in transition. Geronimo Rulli should start in goal, marshaling a back three made up of Benjamin Pavard on the right, Leonardo Balerdi centrally, and Nayef Aguerd on the left. This trio will be tasked with handling PSG’s pace and movement across the front line.
In midfield, Timothy Weah is likely to operate as the right wing-back, with Emerson Palmieri providing balance on the left. Centrally, Matt O’Riley should offer control and creativity, partnered by Bilal Nadir, whose energy and ball-winning will be crucial against PSG’s technically strong midfield.
Ahead of them, Mason Greenwood and Igor Paixao are expected to play as narrow attacking midfielders, drifting into pockets to link play and support the striker. Leading the line, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang should spearhead the attack, relying on movement, experience, and finishing instinct to exploit any defensive lapses.
Probable Lineup (3-4-2-1): Rulli; Pavard, Balerdi, Aguerd; Weah, O’Riley, Nadir, Emerson; Greenwood, Paixao; Aubameyang
Few players embody unpredictability quite like Ousmane Dembele, and in a one-off final, that quality can be decisive. The PSG winger comes into the Trophee des Champions in confident mood after scoring against Paris FC at the weekend, continuing a run of performances that underline his growing influence under Luis Enrique.
Dembele’s threat lies in his ability to destabilise defensive structures almost single-handedly. Comfortable on either flank, he attacks defenders directly, forces overloads, and creates separation with explosive acceleration rather than elaborate build-up. Against a Marseille back three likely to prioritise compactness, his willingness to take risks in 1v1 situations could stretch the game and open channels for runners arriving centrally.
Beyond goals and assists, Dembele’s off-ball movement is increasingly important. His rotations with the midfield and overlapping full-backs help PSG sustain pressure high up the pitch, pinning opponents deep and limiting counter-attacking opportunities.
In a rivalry that often hinges on moments rather than patterns, his capacity to produce something unplanned makes him PSG’s most dangerous weapon. If the final turns tight, Dembele is the player most capable of breaking it open with a single burst of pace or a flash of invention.
Finals between PSG and Marseille are rarely comfortable, but the balance of experience and control still tilts towards the Parisian side. PSG’s familiarity with this occasion, combined with their recent defensive solidity in the Trophee des Champions, gives them a clear edge in managing the tempo and pressure of a one-off game.
Marseille have the tools to make this competitive, especially if they can stay compact and spring forward quickly in transition. However, over 90 minutes, PSG’s greater individual quality, particularly out wide, should eventually create the decisive moment.
