'Classique' a boring fizzle in the drizzle

There was nothing 'Classique' about it as Paris Saint-Germain and bitter rival Marseille conjured up an uninspiring 0-0 draw in relentless rain in the French capital on Sunday.

Billed as the Ligue 1 equivalent of Spain's El Clasico, it was a poor advertisement for French soccer and did little to dispel the impression that reigning champion PSG is struggling to grasp coach Unai Emery's methods.

Misfiring PSG striker Edinson Cavani had an evening to forget and the damp stalemate left his side in third place, two points behind Monaco and six back of surprise leader Nice, which won again despite missing injured Mario Balotelli.