The 19th day of Ligue 1 was rich in twists and turns. On the move to Lorient, this Wednesday, PSG, abused, snatched the draw in stoppage time (1-1). Just like OM against Reims (1-1), while Lyon was also hooked by Metz (1-1). Here is everything to remember from this last day before the break.
Lorient-PSG (1-1)
It’s become a habit this season. Manhandled by Lorient, especially in the first period, PSG managed to avoid defeat thanks to a new goal scored on the digits in stoppage time by Mauro Icardi (91e). But the Parisians, deprived of several players and in particular Kylian Mbappé (suspended), suffered on the lawn of the Moustoir. Admittedly, Lionel Messi found the post and stumbled on Paul Nardi twice, but Mauricio Pochettino’s men delivered a new tasteless performance against the 19e of the championship. And it is logically that they found themselves led to the score by enterprising Hakes and rewarded for their efforts on a magnificent powerful strike from Thomas Monconduit in the top corner (39e). But while Sergio Ramos, entered at the break, was sent off at the end of the match for a second yellow card, Marquinhos’ teammates were still able to find the resources to avoid their second defeat. And at mid-championship, they are 13 points ahead of Nice (2e). A chasm that may not be enough to ease the pressure around Mauricio Pochettino.
Marseille-Reims (1-1)
Like Paris, Marseille snatched the point of the draw in the very last moments of the game. And the savior is called Dimitri Payet who converted a penalty awarded by the referee after a foot from Andreaw Gravillon in the face of the Réunionese (98e). Dominated a large part of the meeting, Reims did not yet go far from the perfect shot with the 8e Hugo Ekitike’s goal of the season fifteen minutes from the end of the match (75e). Especially since the Champagne club played the last minutes in numerical superiority after the expulsion of Bamba Dieng for a tackle with both feet on Thomas Foket. But if OM managed to take a point in extremis, the Olympian club is no longer the dolphin of PSG. He is now ahead of the goal difference by Nice, which nevertheless has one more match.
Lyon-Metz (1-1)
Lyon still can’t do it. In the turmoil, after repeated incidents with its supporters, OL conceded their fifth consecutive match without any victory (1 loss, 4 draws). Peter Bosz’s men had yet opened the scoring thanks to a powerful header from Castello Lukeba (56th). But they were joined in the wake by the Messins, who found the fault in a very good sequence of Boubacar Traoré (59th). This result will not help the affairs of Peter Bosz and OL only 13e in the standings 22 points behind PSG.
Bordeaux-Lille (2-3)
Lille continues its good series. Winner in Gironde soil, the northern club followed an 11th game without defeat in all competitions (7 wins, 4 draws). The proteges of Jocelyn Gourvennec nevertheless believed to see this series to be interrupted on the lawn of Bordeaux. Affected by a multitude of cases of Covid-19, the Girondins led twice on the scoreboard and were in the lead at the break thanks to Alberth Elis (18e, 45e). But Lille, who had equalized for the first time through Benjamin André, overthrew the Bordeaux team in the last quarter of an hour with a penalty from Burak Yilmaz (77e) and a realization of the inevitable Jonathan David (84e). With this success, Lille dates back to the 8e place, while Bordeaux goes down to 17e rank.
Monaco-Rennes (2-1)
In this duel of contenders for the podium, Monaco took the upper hand over Rennes. However, it was the Bretons who launched hostilities and took the advantage in this meeting with the opener of Martin Terrier (1§e). But the Monegasques recovered just before the break on a penalty from Wissam Ben Yedder (35e). And it was Kevin Volland who was responsible for offering with his head a precious victory to the club of the principality (72e), while Baptiste Santamaria found the bar a few moments later. With this success, Monaco dates back to the 6e square. For its part, Rennes is at the foot of the podium with more than two points ahead of the Monegasque team.
Nice-Lens (2-1)
The good deal of this day is for Nice. The Aiglons ended the year perfectly with a success that allows them to spend the holidays to the 2e championship place thanks to a better goal difference. But they had to fight to overthrow a team from Lens which led to the break thanks to Arnaud Kalimuendo (30e). It was first Mario Lemina who put the two teams tied for a volley of the right (63e) before Justin Kluivert offered the victory and the runner-up to his team (79e). And if Nice will be able to enjoy the break peacefully, this will be less the case for Lens who recorded at a 6e winless match in Ligue 1 (3 losses, 3 draws) and now occupies 9th place.
Montpellier-Angers (4-1)
A great success to finish. At home, Montpellier outclassed Angers to sign a victory full of authority. The Hérault residents got their hands on the game in the quarter-game with the opening scoring of Téji Savanier, scorer on his 30th birthday, before being imitated at the half-hour mark by Nicolas Cozza (31e). Mathias Pereira Lage reduced the score just before the break (45e), but Mihailo Ristic (51e) and Stephy Mavididi (77e) gave more scope to the victory of Montpellier, firmly attached to the 5e ranking place. Eliminated by Linas-Monthléry in the Coupe de France, Angers (11e) is going through a bad patch and the truce seems to come at the right time.
Saint-Etienne-Nantes (0-1)
Saint-Etienne continues to sink. For the first in the championship of Pascal Dupraz on the Stéphanois bench, the Greens conceded a new defeat. At Geoffroy Guichard, they nevertheless created several situations, especially in the second half, but they stumbled on the Nantes defense. And it was finally Randal Kolo Muani who crucified ASSE within ten minutes of the final whistle (83rd). With this 11e setback of the season, Saint-Etienne is still dead last in the standings, while Nantes, who signed a 3e success in a row, occupies the 7e square.
Troyes-Brest (1-1)
Troyes did not give up. Led to the score from the 5e minute of play on a goal from Franck Honorat, the Estac seemed to be heading towards a 3e defeat of rank in the league. But while Brest seemed to be holding a 7e victory in 8 games, Adil Rami offered a valuable point to his team in the fight for maintenance (80th). Mid-season, Troyes points to 15e tied with Clermont and Bordeaux. The Stade Brestois is, for its part, still 12e. All clubs will now enjoy a few days off before meeting again at the beginning of January.
Clermont-Strasbourg (Postponed)
The meeting was postponed just minutes before kick-off due to thick fog that invaded the Gabriel-Montpied stadium.