Angers, Lens, Red Star… The Bizarre Tennis Ball Protest!
Oh, the weekend in Ligue 1 and Ligue 2! Instead of the usual hooliganism of flares and chants, we watched as fans decided to thrash their tennis balls onto the pitch. Yes, you heard that right! Who needs banners when you can hurl sporting goods? It was like Wimbledon had collapsed into a chaotic football match!
The Angers-PSG match was interrupted… not by boredom, but by a deluge of tennis balls. A protest against the French football authorities and broadcasters? Clearly, the fans are trying to serve up some hard truths! This wasn’t a game of fetch, folks; this was football at its finest—where even the ball sports can’t escape criticism!
Luis Enrique’s Heartfelt Tribute
Amidst the chaos of flying tennis balls, we received a poignant moment as Luis Enrique took to the mic. He offered heartfelt condolences to his deputy, Rafel Pol, who is grappling with the loss of his wife. Talk about knocking the wind out of a press conference! It’s one thing to kick a ball around, but nothing prepares you for the weight of real-life pain. That’s football for you—one minute you’re celebrating a goal, the next you’re contemplating existential dread.
PSG: The Masters… Somehow!?
As for the actual match, PSG continued their mastery on the pitch, easily dispatching Angers with a confident scoreline of 4-2. Lee and Barcola found the net, and even though they let in two goals during stoppage time (because why not make it interesting?), they sailed through like they were on a fun day out at the amusement park. The irony? A carnival of errors escaping the spotlight, while tennis balls take center stage!
A Beautiful Goal and More Perilous Undertones
Speaking of glorious goals, can we take a moment to appreciate Abdelli’s sumptuous cross for Lepaul? The header that found the back of the net was a thing of beauty, worthy of a standing ovation—unlike the tennis ball strategy. It seems in Angers, tossing a tennis ball is easier than scoring a goal against PSG!
Seven Minutes of Madness
Added time was a spectacle unto itself! Seven minutes, many of which were spent waiting for the pitch to calm down after the tennis ball bonanza. I’ll tell you, the only time seven minutes felt longer was when you forgot to stop the microwave.
But what has us curious is how this is all connected. Rugby has its own sets of balls, football has a proper spherical one, and now we’re mixing in tennis? Perhaps next week we’ll see the introduction of badminton rackets. Now that’s a protest I can get behind—vicious volleys aimed at inept footballing authorities!
Summary
This weekend’s football matches were a reminder of the passion that exists off the pitch. Fans physically demonstrating their frustration (and not with vitriol) is a sight reminiscent of earlier protests we’ve seen—just with a lot more spin on it! So here we are, folks—a comedic twist in the serious world of Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 that keeps us entertained. If you still think football isn’t a circus, you might just need to have a word with those fans wielding tennis balls!
As they say, if you can’t beat ’em, join ’em! Who’s up for a round of tennis after the next match?
Angers, Lens, Red Star… the reasons for tennis ball throwing during weekend matches in Ligue 1 and Ligue 2
Several Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 matches were marked this weekend by interruptions due to tennis ball throwing, as during Angers-PSG. A coordinated initiative in the form of protest against French football authorities and broadcasters.
>>> why these tennis balls thrown away in Ligue 1 and Ligue 2?
Luis Enrique pays tribute to his deputy Rafel Pol, bereaved by the death of his wife
Luis Enrique to begin his press conference: “Before starting, I would like to say that today is a very sad day. A very important person in the staff lost his wife. Rafel Pol’s wife died as a result of “a long illness. We want to dedicate this victory to Raquel and Rafel, obviously to their family. We share their pain and we send them a lot of support.”
More information here.
FINISHED ! Paris easily wins in Angers
PSG only needed 45 minutes to finish this match thanks to doubles from Lee and Barcola. Paris was content to manage the second act but ended up conceding two goals in added time and finally won 2-4. The Ile-de-France residents remain six points ahead of Monaco. Thank you for following this live, have a good evening!
BIUMLAAA! A second goal for Angers!
He is on the receiving end of a corner hit near the near post. This time, his uncrossed header is on target and deceives Donnarumma!
Kolo Muani finds the post!
He finds the amount when it was ideally placed in the area! Amazing !
And Joao Neves came into play
The Portuguese replaced Lee.
Seven minutes of added time
Significant additional time due to the throwing of tennis balls at the start of the second act.
THAT GOAL OF LEPAUL !!
Angers saves honor! Abdelli sent a dived ball towards Lepaul from the left and the Angevin fired a sublime shot with the outside of his foot. Donnarumma is totally beaten! His first goal in Ligue 1! 1-4!
Paris in master’s degree
PSG continues to attack, without pushing too much either. Angers manages to repel the offensives for the moment.
Card for Marquinhos
The captain fouls Rao-Lisoa.
Oh Lee’s cover!
What a gesture from the Korean who sends a heavy volley at the edge of the area after a cross from Marquinhos. It’s not on target but it doesn’t go that far!
Double change for the SCO
Lepaul and Dieng replace El Melali and Niane.
Kolo Muani’s turn to see Fofana stop his strike
Superb gesture from the Parisian, who opens the way to goal and strikes. But Fofana pushes back again!
Zagué comes up against Fofana!
Zagué takes a cross from the left into a tight angle. It’s on target but Fofana pushes back!
Biumla uncrosses his head too much!
After a corner played in two stages, he was found at the near post, but he uncrossed his header too much and the ball went six meters.
Two changes for Angers
Allavinah and Aholou are replaced by Rao-Lisoa and Belkhdim.
Double change for PSG
Entries of Kolo Muani and Dembélé, who replace Mayulu and Zaire-Emery.
Fabian Ruiz’s loss of the ball!
The Spaniard completely misses and lets Abdelli slip through on goal… But the Algerian plays it alone, which didn’t seem to be the best option. The following corner achieves nothing.
Donnarumma’s stop!
The free kick is well struck by El Melali and Biumla takes the ball with a diving header but Donnarumma pushes away magnificently!
Quel rush d’El Melali!
He crossed the entire field before being stopped irregularly by Zaire-Emery, who was warned. Good free kick for Angers!
Come on, here we go again!
After a five-minute interruption, the match resumes!
The match interrupted… because of tennis balls!
As Angers approaches the Parisian goal, the turn sends a hundred tennis balls towards the surface in protest against the LFP, as in Lens earlier in the afternoon. The match is temporarily suspended.
Here we go again!
Angers kicks off this second half!
Double change for Paris at half-time
Zagué replaces Hakimi, while Doué takes Barcola’s place.
It’s the break!!
Perfect first half for PSG who returned to the locker room with a four-goal lead thanks to doubles from Lee and Barcola. The second act will be long for Angers…
BARCOLAAAA THE DOUBLEEE!!
The demonstration! Lee, served by Fabian Ruiz, sends a precise cross from the right towards Barcola, who uncrosses his head to score his 10th goal of the season. The SCO defense is no longer there. 0-4!
Four minutes of added time!
Big first period for the Parisians.
Asensio comes up against Fofana again!
Nice transition from the Parisians and Barcola is found on the left. He slips the ball to Asensio in a mouse hole, but the Spaniard’s shot is a little too soft to beat Fofana.
Little number from El Melali
Entering the axis from the left, he gets past three Parisian defenders, but ends up with a missed shot, which goes wide.
Three assists for Asensio in half an hour
The false 9 plays like a real 10 in Angers this evening, and is the last passer on the three Parisian goals.
Belkebla’s volley goes over!
On a cross hit by El Melali, Belkebla takes the ball with a volley, which goes over!
BARCOLAAAA FOR THE 0-3!
Paris is unfolding! Following Donnarumma’s save, PSG recovered the ball very high. Asensio only has to give to Barcola, alone in the area, and who shoots Fofana from close range. His ninth goal of the season in Ligue 1!
What an outing from Donnarumma!!
Sublime pass from Abdelli towards Niane, who presents himself against Donnarumma but the Italian had read the Angevin dribble!
Fofana saves the SCO!!
Magnificent action from the Parisians on the right and Hakimi crosses back towards Asensio, who even has time to control before sending a strike, well read by Fofana!
Card for Beraldo
Allevinah had cleared the Brazilian, who jostled him at the edge of the area. Logical warning and good free kick for the SCO!
Aholou’s headbutt!
Abdelii’s corner is hit hard and Aholou gets the better of Zaire-Emery but the Angevin takes the ball with his shoulder and can’t get on target!
LEE’S DOUBLE!!!
The South Korean scores two goals in two minutes! Barcola sends a nice pass towards Asensio, who has time to adjust his cross from the left. The Angevin defense was sucked in at the near post by Mayulu’s call, and Lee, behind, finished! 0-2!
LEE OPENS THE SCORE!!!
Asensio crosses back from the left. If Zaire-Emery fails to regain the ball, Lee is alone behind to finish… But Lefort sends it back to his line! We thought he had succeeded in his move, but the referee’s watch vibrated! Even with slow motion, it’s not that obvious. 0-1!
Oh the good center of Barcola!
Excellent cross from Barcola from the left but Asensio and Zaire-Emery cannot hit the ball with their heads. The Angevin defense was beaten!
Nearly 90% possession for PSG
The Parisians settled in the Angevin camp. The SCO remains compact.
It’s over the top for Lee!
Hakimi’s cross is blocked and the ball arrives at Lee, who attempts the volley. But it doesn’t fit.
Parisian domination
Unsurprisingly, it was the PSG players who put their foot on the ball. Still no second hand, however.
IT’S GONE!
Paris kicks off this game!
The entrance of the 22 actors!
Beautiful atmosphere in Angers!
One last match before the break
Beaten in the last seconds by Atlético on Wednesday in the Champions League, PSG has the opportunity to string together a fourth consecutive victory in Ligue 1. But be careful, Angers has just beaten Saint-Etienne and Monaco, and is therefore riding a beautiful dynamic.
Visitor parking with Parias Cohortis
Parisian parking at Raymond-Kopa, November 9, 2024 © RMC Sport
The visitor parking lot is almost full. 500 ultras made the trip. Usually quite discreet, large delegation from the Parias Cohortis group. On the lower part of the stand, fans wear white sweatshirts which were initially intended for the match against Arsenal.
AP
PSG lineup revealed
Dembélé and Vitinha on the bench, Lee starts in the attacking trio. In the middle, Mayulu starts with Ruiz and Zaire-Emery.
Donnarumma – Hakimi, Marquinhos, Skriniar, Beraldo – Zaïre-Emery, Ruiz, Mayulu – Lee, Asensio, Barcola.
Angers lineup revealed
Fofana – Arcus, Biumla, Lefort, Hanin – Belkebla, Aholou – Allevinah, Abdelli, El-Melali – Niane.
PSG players must travel by bus
The PSG players will finally make the trip to Angers by bus. Due to fog, the Parisian group saw their flight canceled. The club knew since last night that there was a risk of cancellation and change of means of travel.
AP
And here is the PSG group
Willian Pacho is absent because he left for the Ecuadorian selection.
Match night at Raymond-Kopa
Hello everyone ! Beaten by Atlético in the Champions League this week, but still leader of Ligue 1, PSG travels to the Angers field, in the fight for maintenance, this Saturday as part of the 11th day. Kick-off at 9 p.m.
SG aims to bounce back with a strong performance against Angers in this Ligue 1 fixture. The atmosphere is electric as both teams are introduced on the pitch, signaling the start of an important match for Paris, who are looking to consolidate their position at the top of the table.
As the game kicks off, PSG demonstrates their usual dominance, controlling possession and applying pressure early on. Lee’s standout performance, highlighted by his two quick goals, sets the tone, while Barcola’s contributions further elevate PSG’s attacking threat.
Despite the heavy pressure from Paris, Angers manages to pull one back through a magnificent strike from Lepaul, who showcases his skills and determination with a well-placed shot, marking his first goal in Ligue 1. However, the visitors maintain their composure and continue to attack, demonstrating their intent to extend their lead.
The match takes multiple turns with interruptions due to protests involving the throwing of tennis balls, reflecting ongoing discontent among fans with the league’s management. Once play resumes, the Parisians regain control, and efforts from players like Asensio and Kolo Muani highlight their collective desire to secure a commanding victory.
PSG’s relentless attacking style is matched with solid defensive displays from Donnarumma, who makes several critical saves, denying Angers any real momentum. The substitutions made by both teams further illustrate their strategies as they adapt to the flow of the game.
As the match progresses, it remains clear that PSG are not only aiming for a convincing win but also looking to establish their dominance in the league. Each player’s performance adds a layer of excitement, making the outcome of the match all the more intriguing as they head into the later stages. With the final whistle approaching, it’s evident that PSG’s first half performance has given them a substantial lead, yet Angers remains resilient, looking to make a statement of their own.
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