Ligue 1 Review Gameweek 8

Reims 1-0 Lille

The weekend’s action in French football began at the Stade Auguste Delaune where Reims took on Lille. The visitors started the game better and probably should have taken an early lead with Eric Bautheac going agonisingly close. The Frenchman received the ball from a corner before striking a volley that hit both posts. Lille’s hard work could have been easily undone when Djibril Sidibe fouled Nicolas de Preville in the area to concede a penalty, but Reims’ David N’Gog saw his effort from twelve yards saved by Mike Maignan.

N’Gog did redeem himself in the second half however as he put the hosts ahead with a header in the 56^th-minute and Lille failed to get back in the game once Reims established a comfortable position. Reims are 4^th in the league and stay in touch with the leaders but Lille have sunk closer to the bottom three in 15^th and failure to win their game in hand against Nantes will send them even further down.

 

Nantes 1-4 Paris Saint-Germain

PSG extend their lead at the top of the league to four points with an emphatic win away at Nantes. Les Canaris actually took an early lead after just 11 minutes when Yacine Bammou popped up with a header and it could have been even more as Nantes hit the post twice in the first half but failed to extend their lead. The home side held the lead until half-time but a stronger PSG emerged after the break and their quality shone through.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic equalised shortly after the restart and his strike partner Edinson Cavani then got on the score sheet with a header in the 73^rd-minute from an Angel Di Maria free kick. The Argentine then scored for himself within the final ten minutes; a shot from range to continue his excellent form for Les Parisians. Just as the game looked settled, Serge Aurier added a fourth from a corner just before the final whistle to make it another convincing win for PSG; Nantes’ fourth defeat in a row leaving them 17^th with a game in hand.

 

Bastia 3-0 Toulouse

Bastia avoided their fifth successive loss with a home win over Toulouse who are also struggling in the league; 16^th in the table and without a win since the opening day of the season. The game was settled in the first half as Toulouse went in at the break 3-0 down and they would have needed a miracle to recover from that scoreline.

Julian Palmieri set the pace of the game with a goal after just eight minutes from close range. Defender Sebastien Squillaci then went on to steal the show, scoring twice in the 31^st and 43^rd-minute to secure the victory for Les Bleus. The win has taken Bastia up to 11^th in the league and they are still in a good league position due to their impressive start which they will look to recover and maintain over the next few games.

 

Bordeaux 3-1 Lyon

Just as Lyon were looking to get back on track and attempt more of a challenge towards PSG, they have suffered another setback at Bordeaux. It was an excellent first half performance from the hosts that won the game for Les Girondins; Wahbi Khazri was instrumental yet again as his set pieces caused constant problems for Lyon and he scored the first goal of the game in the 16^th-minute. Khazri’s deliveries found Jaroslav Plasil at the near post for the second goal just five minutes before the break and Pablo in stoppage time to give Bordeaux a 3-0 lead at half-time.

Lyon lacked a lot of flair up front with Alexandre Lacazette being forced to miss the match with his continuous back problems and the visitors could only muster a consolation goal in the latter stages of the game when Claudio Beauvue headed in his third of the season. They have now dropped to 8^th in the league standings, two points ahead of Bordeaux in 12^th.

 

Caen 2-0 Gazélec Ajaccio

Home side Caen are the only side not to draw a game in Ligue 1 this season; winning five and losing three of their matches. The game against Gazélec on Saturday looked like there would be just one outcome as the visitors are yet to win a game in the league. This probability became a reality just before the half-hour mark when Ronny Rodelin put Caen ahead following a number of chances at both ends of the pitch.

Gazélec managed to keep Caen out to stay in the game for a while following the opener but hopes of a result were dashed early on in the second half when Emmanuel Imorou finished to take all three points. Caen’s home form has been vital this season as four wins in five at the Stade Michel d’Ornano has largely contributed to their league position of 6^th. Gazélec’s troubles continue to grow as they remain bottom of the table, five points from safety and are just one of two teams yet to win this season.

 

Rennes 1-1 Troyes

Troyes are another team yet to win this season and they came very close at Roazhon Park when they faced a Rennes side in excellent form. The hosts started the better of the two but it was Troyes who took the lead through Jessy Pi’s volley after just 11 minutes. The game began to develop a fiery atmosphere as Rennes pushed for an equaliser.

The inevitability happened in the 71^st-minute; Fallou Diagne heading the leveller into an empty net after beating Troyes goalkeeper Denis Petric to the ball. There was a lot of late drama in the game as well with Clinton N’Jie feeling he should have had a penalty late on before Rennes were reduced to ten men after Yacouba Sylla received a second yellow card. Troyes have now fallen to 19^th in the league whereas Rennes continue their strong run in 3^rd place; unbeaten since the opening day of the season.