After the correction received by Bordeaux in Rennes and while waiting for OM-Lille this evening, four Ligue 1 matches took place this Sunday followingnoon at 3 p.m.: Monaco-Clermont, Strasbourg-Montpellier, Reims-Metz and Lorient-Angers, followed from TRoyes-Lyon at 5 p.m. Here’s what to remember.
The first: Clement can thank Ben Yedder
Philippe Clement, once. Two weeks following his arrival in the Principality, the Belgian obtained his first success with AS Monaco, at home once morest Clermont (4-0). Forced to draw in Nantes, the Monegasques have this time obtained a precious success thanks in particular to the double of Wissam Ben Yedder. Caio Henrique once more positioned by his coach as No. 10 – where he had revealed himself in Brazil – he sent a perfect cross to his captain once his left wing was found (55th). Entering following half-time for the second time under Clement, Ben Yedder struck once more, on penalty (62nd), for his 11th and 12th goals of the season. Enough to give a smile to the French international, who allows his coach to unlock his Monegasque counter, and to ASM (5th) to return to three points from the podium.
The good move: Strasbourg in ambush
There are Paris, Nice and Marseille, Rennes; Monaco and Lens are not far away… And then there is Strasbourg which, casually, is making its merry way, in the shadow of the most powerful. And came out perfectly from his duel of contenders for Europe on his lawn once morest Montpellier (3-1), two teams separated by only two points at kick-off in the first part of the table. If Julien Stéphan’s players had conceded the opener of Florent Mollet (11th), they took advantage of the exclusion of Elye Wahi (66th) to overthrow the Héraultais. Majeed Waris (77th), Adrien Thomasson (83rd) and Kevin Gameiro (86th) allowed the Alsatians to chain a fourth success in 5 days (1 loss). And, now seventh at the gates of European places, to overtake their opponents of the day in the standings.
The player: Ibrahima Niane relieves Metz
This time, Frédéric Antonetti will be forced to weave a few laurels to Ibrahima Niane. Often the favorite target of his coach in press conferences, accustomed to addressing him some criticism in public, the 22-year-old Senegalese striker this time pulled out a nice thorn from the side of the Alsatians. Opposed to Reims in a duel in the second half of the table, Niane scored the only goal of the match from a tight angle (0-1, 61st), his 3rd of the season. Perhaps aware of the potential of a player who never stopped scoring at the start of last season – 6 goals in the first six days of Ligue 1 2020-2021 before a cruciate ligament rupture in a knee –, Antonetti can only bow. Metz (15th) gains four places and leaves the red zone.
The awakening: Lyon roars once more
It had been forever. After four draws in a row and a defeat in Ligue 1, Olympique Lyonnais returned to victory once morest Troyes, in pain, this Sunday (0-1). Very offensive and dominating (19 shots, 8 on target), the Gones have long stumbled on a Gauthier Gallon of the big nights (29th, 41st, 44th, 85th). Finally, Moussa Dembelé delivered his team by scoring his fifth goal of the season, on a penalty (33rd). This is the first victory for Peter Bosz’s men since November 28 once morest Montpellier (0-1). Thanks to this success, OL moved up to 10th place in the standings.
The number: 0
For Lorient, in search of a first success since the end of September (!), it is starting to be very, very long. Held in check at home by Angers (0-0), the Merlus have not won in their last 13 Ligue 1 matches (5 draws, 8 defeats). Surpassing their longest winless streak in the top flight which dated from December 2011-March 2012.
