Tops
Seven matches, 30 goals: this Sunday afternoon was a gem of a spectacle, of intensity, of tension, of turnarounds. As a highlight, of course, a sublime Montpellier-Monaco (3-2) and a full skylight mine in the last seconds signed Stephy Mavididi. Never, this season, has Ligue 1 offered such an orgy of goals on a Sunday. Despite the Covid-19, despite the stadiums which sound hollow, despite the CAN which amputates the workforce, the French championship has many more resources than we think. So thank you gentlemen!
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- PSG and its unexpected scorers
We expected Kylian Mbappé, usually so decisive, Lionel Messi, finally back in the group, even Angel Di Maria (we hardly dare mention Mauro Icardi, once again terribly awkward). But on arrival, if PSG broke Reims on Sunday evening (4-0), it was thanks to players unaccustomed to finding the net. Starting with Marco Verratti. Author of the opener the Italian midfielder is also at the origin of the third goal, attributed to Wout Faes against his camp. Sergio Ramos meanwhile unlocked his counter in the Parisian jersey, while Danilo was responsible for closing the festival. Among the vice-champions of France, the danger can therefore come from everywhere.
The joy of Sergio Ramos after his goal in the match between Paris Saint-Germain and Reims on January 23, 2022 in Ligue 1
Credit: Getty Images
He has been criticized at times this season. Well Named. For his first season in Brest, Marco Bizot had not really given the best guarantees of reliability so far. But if the Breton club brought down the French champion Lille (2-0), it is indeed to his Dutch goalkeeper that he owes it. Author of multiple parades, Bizot punctuated his recital with a sublime rescue in front of Hatem Ben Arfa, just before the second Brest goal. Brilliantly, he brought points to the formation of Michel Der Zakarian. Finally !
It’s an understatement to say that OM’s style of play has been the subject of debate this season. But in Lens (0-2), the Marseillais made everyone agree. The training of Jorge Sampaoli first owed its success in Artois to great collective mastery. But she was not content with just possession of the ball. The Olympians also offered quality offensive movements to create chances on the Lensois goal. More consistent, more efficient, they delivered one of their best performances in a long time to obtain a fifth consecutive away success this season. And in Lens, it’s not a small performance.
Olympique de Marseille players congratulate Dimitri Payet after his penalty converted to Lens in Ligue 1, January 22, 2022
Credit: Getty Images
- Bordeaux, a Champions League level duo
If all the Bordeaux players had the level of their attacking duo Elis-Hwang, then the Girondins would certainly play for European places. Eighth attack of the elite, they again proved their strike force against Strasbourg by scoring four goals: three for the South Korean, one for the Honduran (4-3). The two men have 17 goals between them and one wonders how, with such an association, Bordeaux can be mired in the dark waters of the classification. If Vladimir Petkovic is still on the bench this week, he knows who he has to thank.
The Flops
He was already not at the party this season. Timothée Kolodziejczak made mistakes that cost AS Saint-Étienne dearly. The trend was confirmed at the worst of times for the Saint-Etienne defender. Guilty of a disconcerting fault of naivety, “Kolo” literally offered the penalty of victory to OL in the derby against the Greens (1-0). More than ever a red lantern, the very young formation now led by Pascal Dupraz nevertheless needs its executives to rise to the surface. But Kolodziejczak would rather be the ball that keeps his head under water.
- Elders on fire and return to earth: headache for Rennes
Their names are Jordan Tell and Lucas Da Cunha. They both passed through Rennes without ever managing to impose themselves there and, this Sunday, they overthrew their former club by scoring their first goal of the season in Ligue 1. Cruel irony for Bretons caught in their own trap for not having been able to drive the point home in the first period. A week after the lesson inflicted on Bordeaux (6-0), Bruno Genesio’s men confirm their great inconsistency. And generally, when you are capable of the best but also the worst, it is difficult to hold out until the evening of the 38th day of your desires for the Champions League …
Bringing AS Monaco back to the podium: this is the mission that Philippe Clement must take on for this second part of the season. And to hope to achieve this, the Belgian technician will quickly have to restore color to his team outside. Because since the end of September, Wissam Ben Yedder and his partners have experienced great difficulties away from the Rock (a victory in the last seven trips). A finding that was confirmed in Montpellier where, despite a good reaction to make up for a two-goal deficit, ASM finally lost (3-2). We must avoid returning empty-handed from the next trip, scheduled for Bordeaux at the end of February.
Nicolas Cozza and Wissam Ben Yedder during the match between Montpellier and Monaco on January 23, 2022 in Ligue 1
Credit: Getty Images
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