No matter how many goals were scored and regardless of the results in the opening weekend of fixtures in Ligue 1, Marcelo Bielsa made sure there was only one story dominating the press in Journée 1.
Straight after the 1-0 defeat to Caen at the Stade Velodrome, the Argentine coach, to the shock of everyone, announced his decision to quit as OM coach.
He handed his letter of resignation to Vincent Labrune on his way to the press conference, then he told the press of his decision. As Bielsa was talking, the players in the dressing room were finding out the news on social media.
Marseille responded to Bielsa’s letter on Sunday afternoon – this split is far from amicable.
The bottom line is that Marseille’s season is in tatters before it even begins and it is going to take a brave – or crazy – coach to apply for the post. A difficult job just became almost impossible.
The letter Bielsa wrote to Labrune giving his resignation reasons. https://t.co/7ABu0x2JXL
— FFW (@FrenchFtWeekly) August 8, 2015
Bielsa Pt.3 https://t.co/CoqI81P8rI
— FFW (@FrenchFtWeekly) August 8, 2015
Labrune: "I have difficulty understanding how a simple meeting on Wed to discuss details with the lawyer of the CEO can cause this decision"
— Rich Allen (@rich_allen85) August 9, 2015
Labrune: "I said to the players, I don't doubt that our quality & character will mean we achieve our goals, despite the departure of Bielsa"
— Rich Allen (@rich_allen85) August 9, 2015
DELIGHTFUL DELORT
In all the fuss over El Loco’s Houdini act, let’s not forget Andy Delort’s excellent game winner for Caen – not a bad debut.
Ah oui donc en plus Delort s'est fait plaisir. http://t.co/CKmzxJKE8t
— Charly M. (@SeriousCharly) August 8, 2015
@f_kamano et @AyiteF buteurs du soir et le Sporting vainqueur face à Rennes ! #SCBSRFC 2-1. Bastia Vince ! pic.twitter.com/5S624qiRBi
— SC Bastia (@SCBastia) August 8, 2015
DON’T LOOK BACK, ANGERS
Back in Ligue 1 after more than twenty years, Angers kicked off their campaign with a 2-0 win away at Mosson to go top of the table, much to the delight of (almost) everyone. It was not the toughest test for the promoted team, however, as their hosts showed a worrying lack of depth at the back. With El-Kaoutari sold and Hilton suspended, Rolland Courbis’ team started with a central defensive pairing of new boy Ramy Bensebaini and rightback Mathieu Deplagne.
This went wrong inside 5 minutes as Abdoul Camara opened the scoring, and Deplagne switched positions with rightback Bryan Dabo; in the second half debutant Mamadou N’Diaye (another rightback) was brought on so Dabo could move forward – just before Gilles Sunu made it two. Why new acquisition William Remy – who is at least a centreback – stayed on the bench during all this to-ing and fro-ing is unclear. So, a perfect start for the visitors, options needed for central defensive cover for the hosts.
C'est terminé ! L'AS Monaco remporte le derby (1-2) ! @BernardoCSilva et @layvinkurzawa ont marqué ! #OGCNASM pic.twitter.com/676zauEeew
— AS MONACO (@AS_Monaco) August 8, 2015
C'est terminé. Nantes s'impose 1-0 face à Guingamp ! #FCNEAG
— FC Nantes (@FCNantes) August 8, 2015
RECKLESS RABIOT SAVED BY LUCAS
After 28 minutes of the opening game of the new Ligue 1 season, Paris Saint-Germain’s petulant labradoodle Adrien Rabiot reminded everyone that he was far from the finished article after receiving a yellow card for an ‘over-eager’ challenge on Lille’s Florent Balmont.
RED CARD: #PSG reduced to 10 as Adrien #Rabiot is sent off after fouling Corchia. Mindless from the young midfielder. #LOSCPSG
— Robin Bairner (@RBairner) August 7, 2015
Just five short minutes later, trying to make up for losing the ball cheaply, Rabiot tugged on Sebastien Corchia shirt and was handed a second yellow card. It wasn’t the worst foul, and it probably wouldn’t have merited a yellow card on its own, but it was down to his stupidity and recklessness that Fredy Fautrel had no option.
Mostly due to Lille’s inability to create a goal-scoring opportunity, PSG were not punished and as Blanc later commented, they came together and were worthy of their 1-0 win. Rabiot really needs to grow up both on and off the pitch.
#ESTACGFCA C'est terminé au stade de l'Aube. 0-0 entre Troyes et le Gazélec Ajaccio.. Compte-rendu à venir. #AiacciuCitàNostra
— Gazélec FC Ajaccio (@gfc_ajaccio) August 8, 2015
Première victoire! Du courage, de l'adresse et de l'agressivité, tout ce qu'on aime! Bravo les gars! 2-1 #TFCASSE pic.twitter.com/2eS4tOUbWG
— Toulouse FC Officiel (@ToulouseFC) August 9, 2015
FT @girondins 1-2 @StadeDeReims – two goals in the last 10 minutes from the away side get the win #FCGBSDR
— FFW (@FrenchFtWeekly) August 9, 2015
LORIENT’S LECOMTE IS LIGUE 1 HERO
Lyon and Lorient played out a scoreless draw on Sunday night at the Stade Gerland. A certified “decent” goalmouth scramble saw a Nabil Fekir shot hit the post, Alexandre Lacazette having his follow up effort saved by Benjamin Lecomte before the ‘keeper got fingertips to the French striker’s instinctive header, pushing it on to the post as he then held on to the rebound.
Lecomte ❤️ pic.twitter.com/iAA6vymzVp
— FC Lorient UK (@FCLorientUK) August 9, 2015
The story of the second half was a lack of creativity from Lyon and a commanding performance from the young Lecomte. Marshalling his penalty area well, the Lorient goalkeeper produced the best save of the second half as he was at full stretch to tip Arnold Mvuemba’s powerful drive around the post.
Lorient were very well organised throughout the 90 minutes but no player was more deserving of the point than Lecomte. Without the goals of Jordan Ayew to save Les Merlus, the performances from the 24-year-old will go a long way in determining their league position.
PREDICTIONS
Well to to Martha, leading the way with two correct scores. Terrible across the board though.