Review: Lorient Shine to Hold Off Rocky Monaco

French Football Weekly

Week Six of the Ligue 1 season may have been bookended by two 1-1 draws, but it was goals galore across France this weekend. We were treated to 25 goals, including Lorient shocking the country with their annual victory in the principality.

After six weeks, the table still has a very interesting look to it and it’s intriguing and fascinating.

RENNES 1-1 LILLE

PSG HELD AS REIMS RUN CONTINUES

After last week’s horror show against Bordeaux, all eyes were on how Paris Saint-Germain would react. With top scorer Edinson Cavani left on the bench, Zlatan Ibrahimovic was the centre of attention – which he usually thrives on. It was not meant to be for the Swede as a dismal performance from him meant PSG again had to call upon the Uruguayan to save them.

Reims took the lead late on through Jordan Siebatcheu, the third goal of the season for the exciting 19 year old. Nicolas De Preville punished Layvin Kurzawa for trying an ill-timed back heel as he dispossessed the left-back and crossed for Siebatcheu. PSG immediately responded as a lovely ball over the top from Javier Pastore found Cavani, on as a second half replacement, to prod home.

On closer inspection Cavani found space due to a foul by Ibrahimovic on Aissa Mandi which was missed by the officials.

Another excellent performance for Reims however for PSG it was a performance we saw all too much of last season.

 

CAEN 2-1 MONTPELLIER

 

GUINGAMP 2-1 AJACCIO

 

ANGERS 1-0 TROYES

 

BASTIA 1-3 NICE

 

BORDEAUX 1-1 TOULOUSE

 

LORIENT CONTINUE LES MONEGASQUES WOES

Monaco’s stuttering start to the season continued with a surprising home defeat to Lorient. For Lorient it was a win their performance deserved. In the first period they very much matched Monaco and went into a two goal lead through a fabulous Ibrahim Ndong strike from 35 yards – flew into the top corner. The second was due to excellent build up play from Romain Philippoteaux and Raphael Guerreiro who combined to set up Benjamin Jeannot to tap in.

Monaco fought back through an Almamy Toure header and Thomas Lemar free kick as Lorient bedded in with a strong second half defensive display. Lamine Kone and league debutant Zargo Toure were absolute rocks and their defensive efforts were rewarded with a third goal from Benjamin Moukandjo, scored on the counter attack.

Lorient will take huge comfort with the win that saw them leapfrog their opponents up to 10th in the table. For Monaco, questions remain about their defence. With the loss of Aymen Abdennour and Layvin Kurzawa, the solidity that they counted on last season seems to have vanished.

 

SAINT-ETIENNE 2-0 NANTES

 

TENSIONS HIGH IN THE VELODROME – BUT POINTS SHARED

The Olympico is always a tense and tight affair – always worth the attention, but Sunday night’s fixture had everything – some good, some bad.

Marseille’s Virage Sud were quick to welcome Mathieu Valbuena back to the south. Screams of boos are all part and parcel of the game – no issue there – but hanging effigies and a continual stream of objects thrown in his direction, regardless of why or how he moved, must not be tolerated.

Alexandre Lacazette gave OL the first half lead after he was fouled by Steve Mandanda – he should have made it two when he was left clearly unmarked in the box, but his shot cannoned off the post.

After the half-time break – with a man advantage after Romain Alessandrini was sent off for a poor, reckless challenge on Valbuena – Lyon looked comfortable until Rudy Buquet took the players off the pitch after missiles were thrown onto the pitch en masse. 20 minutes later the player came back on and OM had woken up.

Karim Rekik, despite some questionable defending, headed the equaliser and the points were shared. Questions asked of Lyon as twice in a week they failed to beat another side featuring 10-men.

 

PREDICTIONS

We have a new leader – Philippa takes top-spot and Gibney moves joint second after a great weekend – three correct scores.

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