Ligue 1: Lille offers Rennes, Marseille new runner-up
29 goals scored, only one meeting ended with a goalless draw 0-0… that of PSG. The 16th evening of Ligue 1, which took place yesterday in two stages, was rich in spectacle and reversals of the situation. The day began in particular with the incredible rout of a Bordeaux in crisis in Strasbourg (5-2) and the victory of Brest against Saint-Etienne (1-0). If the Bretons record a historic series of 5 wins in a row, they push their opponents a little more against the bottom of the standings. It ended with the great victory of Lille in Rennes (2-1) and the good operation of Marseille, winner in Nantes (0-1), and new runner-up in Paris.
Nice operation for Marseille
He was expected, he was not disappointed. Dimitri Payet returned to a Beaujoire stadium where he made his first professional steps during the 2005-2006 season. And the Marseillais has once again proven that it is essential for OM. The international was one of the great architects of the short, but important victory in Nantes by serving Gerson who, with a magnificent volley from the 6 meters, scored the only goal of the game (0-1, 30th ). An opponent it is true reduced to 10 after 32 minutes, following a second severe yellow card from Nicolas Palois, who was not unworthy. Thanks to this success, Marseille moved into the dolphin chair.
“It fills me with joy to see this version of OM again, it’s the version that we are building and that we want to see, rejoice Jorge Sampaoli. We try to put this game in place for each game. Dimitri Payet’s performance? Very well. I saw a player involved, who is kind of our spearhead. He is committed, he follows this idea of the game, he defends it and he applies it constantly. We must now gain in efficiency, be sharper, avoid suffering in transitions and especially take pleasure each time by playing in this way. “
Lille surprises Rennes
End of series for Rennes. Untenable for several weeks and solid runners-up for PSG before the day, Bruno Genesio’s players did not expect such a disappointment. While they remained on 9 games without a loss in the league (13 in all competitions combined with the European Cup), they bowed (1-2) on their lawn in front of Lille. The reduction in score at the very end of Bourigeaud’s match will not change anything. A defeat wiped under the eyes of their president Nicolas Holveck who was making his return to Brittany after having taken a step back since this summer to fight against cancer. With this success, Lille, reigning French champion, confirmed in Ligue 1 its recovery to form started a few weeks ago on the continental scene.
“We came with a lot of humility because Rennes was in an impressive dynamic, relishes Jocelyn Gourvennec, Lille coach. We did the round back for twenty minutes then we were able to bring out some balloons and we hurt them. Our shot was successful. I think it’s going to be good for everyone’s mind. “
Reims on arrival
Sad atmosphere in Lyon. It is in a stadium emptied of its audience due to the throwing of a plastic water bottle over the head of Marseillais Dimitri Payet during the meeting between Lyon and OM, on November 21, that the OL received Reims. An opponent who presented himself, without his coach Oscar Garcia, his deputy Ruben Martinez and him positive for Covid-19. But for once those absent were right, the meeting will have long lacked intensity. But as the two teams headed for a sad draw, Reims took a definite advantage thanks to its young striker Hugo Ekitike (19), who came into play in the 71st minute, who deceived Lopes in added time (90th + 3 ). This is not the first time that the Lyonnais have cracked at the end of the game this season. “It was very bad, plague the coach Peter Bosz. We don’t deserve to win, you have to be honest. From the start of the match, it was not good. It’s a difficult time for us. Now we have to go for a victory in Bordeaux but against Reims at home, we have to win ”.
“I have a big thought for Oscar (Garcia) and (Martinez) who Ruben of the Covid-19 and who are very tired, confides Mickaël d’Amore, assistant coach of Reims. The coach was in contact with the bench but he let me lead. The camera has helped us in terms of communication! There has been a big awareness of the players at the character level. It’s a great victory. It’s still quite exceptional to come and win here in Lyon. This result will give us air before receiving twice. “
Clermont and Lens back to back
Quite a symbol! Victim of a cruciate ligament rupture last season during the final sprint towards the rise in Ligue 1, Clermont midfielder Yohann Magnin was one of the elements of the revolt of the Auvergne against Lens. With a head, the native of Clermont revived his own who obtained the sharing of points (2-2). The promoted thus puts an end to a black series of 5 setbacks and leaves his place of barrage in Bordeaux. A beautiful evening therefore even if the coach Pascal Gastien was expelled in the 85th.