Ligue 1 Review Gameweek 6

Last weekend’s Ligue 1 matches produced a few shock results and the top of the table is becoming extremely tight. Disappointing results for the teams near the bottom means they are drifting further away from safety.

 

Rennes 1-1 Lille

Rennes continued their run to make it five matches unbeaten but failed to capitalise on PSG dropping points to move to the top of the table. Lille went into this match also unbeaten in four but having won only one of them, were a lot further down the league. Les Dogues took the lead early on in the second half when Sofiane Boufal’s near-post effort went in, but had Yassine Benzia’s finishing been better Lille could have come away with all three points.

Instead things were made very difficult when the visitors’ goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama was dismissed after being judged to have brought down Giovanni Sio in the box. Mike Maignan’s first involvement was to save Paul Ntep’s penalty but the celebrations were short-lived as Ntep equalised just minutes later. Lille’s inability to score explains why they are only 14^th in the table after scoring just two goals, while Rennes remain 2^nd just one point behind PSG.

 

Reims 1-1 Paris Saint-Germain

This game was an early season six-pointer with Reims needing a win to be joint top with PSG and the champions needing a win to create a gap between them and the rest of the teams. After Reims seemed to rush Kossi Agassa back into the team following his injury, he only lasted until the 24^th-minute in this game before having to leave the field. PSG took control for large parts of the game but it took until the last ten minutes for the deadlock to be broken.

Theoson Siebatcheu came off the bench to score once again to give the hosts the lead; surely questioning the role his has in the side. The 19-year-old has featured three times in this campaign, scoring three goals in just 114 minutes of football making him the team’s top scorer. PSG responded instantly when Edison Cavani leveled just a minute later to ensure his side remained top of the league for another week. Reims dropped down to 5^th but this was a very impressive result for them.

 

Angers 1-0 Troyes

Angers have bounced back following their first league defeat with another win against Troyes; another newly promoted side who have struggled unlike their hosts. It wasn’t the most convincing performance from either side but Troyes will feel disappointed they didn’t get anything out of the game against a ten-man Angers. Cheikh N’Doye marked his return to the side with an early dismissal; a dangerous challenge which earned a straight red in the 33^rd-minute.

The home side went on to show why they have done so well in Ligue 1 so far following some early pressure in the second half being rewarded with a penalty. Romain Thomas drew a foul from Loosemy Karaboue in the box and Thomas Mangani made no mistake from the spot. Angers have dropped to 6^th after Sunday’s matches and Troyes remain in 18^th place; still looking for their first win of the season.

 

Bastia 1-3 Nice

Nice came from a goal down to secure their first away win of the season at the Stade Armand Cesari. The hosts took the lead in the 23^rd-minute when Gael Danic curled in a fine goal but the lead only stood for ten minutes as Nampalys Mendy scored an equally excellent strike from distance to equalise. The visitors didn’t have many shots but made their chances count and took the lead just before the break when Valerie Germain broke through to score.

Bastia dominated the possession but failed to do anything with it; a lack of creativity and static defending played right into the hands of their opponents. They were made to pay again in injury time when Said Benrahma coolly finished a one-on-one to secure all three points. Despite their excellent start to the season, three consecutive defeats means Bastia have fallen to 15^th in the table but Nice have risen to 9^th.

 

Caen 2-1 Montpellier

There was heartbreak for Montpellier as they were on course for their second point of the season if it wasn’t for a late Caen winner. Ronny Rodelin broke the deadlock for the home side with a volley, scoring his first Ligue 1 goal in nearly two years. Montpellier showed signs of real fight after going 1-0 down and were given the chance to equalise when Bryan Dabo won a penalty for the visitors; a chance Jonas Martin didn’t waste.

Unfortunately for Montpellier, fortunes never seem to favour a side near the bottom of the league and they were desperately unlucky in conceding a late goal. Jeff Louis won the game for Caen after Andy Delort’s effort came back of the woodwork, dashing La Paillade’s hopes of a result. This means Montpellier are still 19^th in the league but Caen are doing excellently in 4^th position.