Ligue 1 Review Gameweek 14

 

A Nice slip-up allowed Monaco and PSG to close the gap at the top of the table, while the bottom end of Ligue 1 became incredibly clustered in the latest round of matches.

 

Friday 25 November

Rennes 1-0 Toulouse Venue – Roazhon Park

Early European contenders Rennes took on Toulouse in the weekend’s opening game and fought for a narrow victory after a goal in the first minute.

Yoann Gourcuff broke the deadlock with under a minute played when he received the ball from Paul-Georges Ntep before firing the ball past Alban Lafont. The hosts looked the more likely to score the second goal of the game as Ntep and Joris Gnagnon both struck the woodwork.

Martin Braithwaite forced a save from Benoit Costil but the game ended on a frustrating note for Les Pitchouns after Christopher Jullien was dismissed in additional time.

Rennes climbed to 4^th in the league, while Toulouse dropped even further down to 10^th after going five games without a win.

 

Saturday 26 November

Monaco 4-0 Marseille Venue – Stadium Louis II

Once again, Monaco played a day earlier than league leaders Nice and took their chance to keep up the pressure with a 4-0 thrashing of Marseille.

It became a difficult game for Marseille within half an hour as Les Olympiens found themselves two goals down. Gabriel Boschilia opened the scoring with a fine free-kick in the 23^rd-minute, before Valere Germain doubled Monaco’s lead in the 29^th, heading home Bernardo Silva’s cross.

Germain scored his second of the game shortly before half-time, curling the ball in after being picked out by Radamel Falcao to give Monaco an unassailable lead at the break. Marseille threatened in the second half, but Danijel Subasic was on form to deny Bafetimbi Gomis and Remy Cabella.

The points were wrapped up in stoppage time with a Guido Carrillo header, ensuring Monaco took top spot until Nice’s match, whereas Marseille sit 12^th.

Bordeaux 3-2 Dijon Venue – Nouveaux Stade de Bordeaux

A late brace from Francois Kamano snatched the three points from the clutches of Dijon to earn a big win for Bordeaux on Saturday.

The newly promoted side took the lead on two occasions in the match. Mehdi Abeid scored with a well-struck free-kick moments before the half-time interval, but Dijon’s lead was cancelled out by Diego Rolan just four minutes after the restart.

Julio Tavares’ strike saw the visitors retake the lead after the hour mark and it looked like they would be heading towards a good result, however Kamano headed in the leveller from a corner in the 88^th-minute, before winning the game in the 93^rd with a back post finish.

Les Girondins moved to 6^th as a result of the win, while Dijon’s back-to-back defeats left them 14^th.

Caen 1-1 Guingamp Venue – Stade Michel d’Ornano

At opposite ends of the table, Caen and Guingamp couldn’t be separated at the Stade Michel d’Ornano as two late goals ensured they had to share the points.

The first goal of the game didn’t arrive until the 79^th-minute and it looked to be an important one for Caen as Ronny Rodelin headed home Julien Feret’s delivery.

Guingamp were back on level terms just six minutes later and it was through Nill De Pauw again, scoring his third goal in four matches; all from the substitute’s bench.

Caen remain 15^th in the league standings, but it’s now six games unbeaten for Guingamp as they sit 5^th.

Metz 3-3 Lorient Venue – Stade Saint-Symphorien

There was a six-goal thriller at the Stade Saint-Symphorien as Metz came from two goals down to salvage a point against Lorient.

The home side took the lead after just 11 minutes through Simon Falette, but the lead lasted no more than five minutes as Majeed Waris hit back for Les Merlus. Two goals from Benjamin Moukandjo around the hour mark looked to be steering Lorient in the direction of their third league win of the season, but Metz fought back.

It isn’t the first time Lorient have surrendered a healthy lead this season and the warning signs were there once more when Thibaut Vion pulled a goal back in the 75^th-minute. Before the visitors even had time to react, the scores were level once again and Vion was the hero for Metz, scoring his second of the game three minutes later.

A point lifted Metz to 11^th in the table, but Lorient are still rock bottom and five points form safety.

 

Montpellier 0-0 Nancy Venue – Stade de la Mosson

There wasn’t a great deal of action at the Stade de la Mosson on Saturday as a goalless draw was played out by Montpellier and Nancy.

Both sides could only create a total of six shots on target between them, with Stephane Sessegnon’s red card being the only real talking point. The Beninese international was sent off for a challenge on Guy N’dy Assembe that left the Nancy goalkeeper unable to continue in the game.

Nancy stay 18^th; only goal difference keeps them on the wrong side of the safety line, three points behind Montpellier in 13^th.

Nantes 0-0 Lille Venue – Stade de la Beaujoire

Lille’s troubles continued after they were held to a goalless draw at Nantes, leaving them 19^th, two points behind Les Canaris in 17^th.

Les Dogues have scored only ten goals this season and have failed to find the net in their previous four outings.

They came closest to opening the scoring in this encounter but Eder’s effort was tipped over the bar, while Yassine Benzia’s strike was also saved by Remy Riou. One of Nantes’ few chances was a Guillaume Gillet effort that was comfortably saved by Vincent Enyeama.

 

Sunday 27 November

Angers 1-2 Saint-Étienne Venue – Stade Jean Bouin

Saint-Étienne came from behind to defeat Angers at the Stade Jean Bouin, winning their first match in four outings.

The hosts were given the chance to break the deadlock early on when Bryan Dabo conceded a penalty for dragging back Nicolas Pepe, but Famara saw his spot-kick expertly saved by Stephane Ruffier. Angers didn’t have to wait long to find the net however; Pepe continued to be a menace, rounding Ruffier and sliding the ball into an empty goal.

Les Verts’ comeback began just before the hour mark with a Florentin Pogba header, before Oussama Tannane completed the turnaround in the 77^th-minute. Kevin Malcuit was dismissed deep into added time for the visitors, meaning it had no effect on the game.

Saint-Étienne continue to chase the European contenders in 8^th place, while there’s no change for Angers who stay 10^th.

Nice 1-1 Bastia Venue – Allianz Riviera

After Monaco’s win earlier in the weekend, the pressure got to Nice as they were held to a draw with Bastia on home soil.

Alassane Plea gave an early indication of what was to come when he forced a smart save from Jean-Louis Leca, and he took advantage of a set piece moments later when powered a header into the net after 11 minutes. The Frenchman could have doubled the lead not long after but after taking the ball around Leca, he couldn’t produce the required finish.

Bastia returned revitalised after the half-time break and after Yannick Cahuzac’s initial effort was saved by Yoan Cardinale, Enzo Crivelli followed it in with a volley to equalise on the hour mark.

Nice’s lead at the top of Ligue 1 is reduced to just one point, while Bastia remain just above the relegation zone in 16^th.

Lyon 1-2 Paris Saint-Germain Venue – Stade des Lumieres

PSG were able to capitalise on Nice losing points after a late Edinson Cavani goal earned them a win at Lyon.

Les Parisians were on the front foot in the early stages and would have taken the lead sooner had Thiago Motta and Lucas made the most of their opportunities. The breakthrough came on the half-hour mark when Cavani converted from the spot after Motta was brought down by Rafael.

Lyon were much better after the half-time break following some inspired substitutions from Bruno Genesio. Nabil Fekir and Mathieu Valbuena were brought on and the latter made the desired impact, equalising within three minutes of the restart.

The hosts continued to pressure the champions and Lacazette should have scored Les Gones’ second with PSG up against the ropes. Lyon were punished for being wasteful when PSG scored the winner in the 81^st-minute. Cavani remained on top form following his Champions League goal midweek and scored his second of the match, heading home Thomas Meunier’s excellent cross.

Three points took PSG back on level points with Monaco, while Lyon dropped to 7^th this weekend, 11 points behind the league leaders.