Ligue 1 Review Gameweek 4

Rennes 3-1 Toulouse

Apart from PSG, Rennes are the in-form side in Ligue 1 after earning their third consecutive victory despite going a goal down in this match. It took the visitors just five minutes to break the deadlock when Martin Braithwaite scored his second goal of the season with a far post finish. The lead didn’t last for long as Rennes fought back, earning their reward in the 17^th-minute when Toulouse’s Steeve Yago scored an own goal.

A spell of dominance in the second half saw the home side win a penalty when Giovanni Sio was brought down by goalkeeper Mauro Goicoechea. Sylvain Armand saw his spot-kick saved by the keeper but the rebound fell kindly for the captain to slot home his team’s second goal of the game. Sio was able to add a deserved goal for himself in stoppage time, ensuring Rennes took all three points. Toulouse are now 14^th after failing to win in their last three games but Rennes’ impressive form has seen them climb to 3^rd in the table, just short of Reims on goal difference.

Troyes 0-0 Montpellier

A draw was no good for either side as Troyes and Montpellier enter the fifth round of fixtures still in search of their first win. The visitors would have been hoping this was the game to transform their season but it was not to be as La Paillade remain one of two sides yet to score in Ligue 1 this season. Troyes’ Denis Petric denied Kevin Berigaud an opening goal with an impressive save and Jonas Martin couldn’t make his chance count in the latter stages of the game.

Troyes’ best opportunity came in the second half when Lossemy Karaboue forced a spectacular save from Jonathan Ligali, but it was a game of few chances for both teams. Both teams are in a spot of bother in the league standings with Montpellier just one from bottom on goal difference and Troyes not too far ahead in 17^th. The international break will give these sides an opportunity to regroup and they need to start looking for ways to turn their form around instantly.

Saint-Étienne 2-1 Bastia

Bastia were the creators of their own downfall in this match as they finished the game with nine men on the pitch. Alexander Djiku was dismissed after just four minutes and the game was already settled when Francois Kamano was debatably sent off later in the second half.

Saint-Étienne defender Loic Perrin showed an attacking instinct when he finished in the 20^th-minute following a corner that the visitors failed to clear. The hosts claimed all three points just after the hour mark when Valentin Eysseric put the game beyond Bastia’s reach with a strike from distance. Les Verts are now rising up the table and have closed the gap on Bastia after two successive wins and are currently 7^th; Bastia are ahead on goal difference in 6^th thanks to their impressive goal scoring tally.

Bordeaux 2-0 Nantes

Bordeaux recorded their first win of the season with a home victory over ten-man Nantes. Wahbi Khazri missed a penalty just before the break but made up for his error in first half stoppage time when he converted Renato Civelli’s pass. Nantes’ hopes of getting anything out of the game were dashed not long after half-time when Ermir Lenjani was dismissed for a foul from behind on Clement Chantome.

The hosts secured all the points in the 87^th-minute when summer signing Milan Gajic scored from the edge of the box. It was a much needed win for Bordeaux and they have escaped the teams at the bottom for now as they sit 10^th, whereas Nantes’ first loss of the season has seen them slip to 8^th in the league.

Monaco 0-3 Paris Saint-Germain

The final match of the weekend was one which showed the difference in class between two title contenders. Monaco had their chances in the first half but the second saw sheer dominance from the champions has they cruised to a 3-0 victory. Edinson Cavani finished off a top quality team goal with a bullet header in the 57^th-minute to take the lead.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic returned to the team following his injury and set up Cavani for his second of the game with a neatly weighted pass. Angel Di Maria made his PSG debut from the bench and showed great skill and technique from the wing. The Argentine assisted the third goal in the 83^rd-minute when he played a 50-yard pass over the top of the Monaco defence to Lavezzi who finished emphatically. It was a comfortable victory in the end for PSG, who maintain their 100% record and are still yet to concede a goal as they claim top spot once again. Monaco however are without a win in three and drop to 13^th after this result has had a huge impact on their goal difference.