The great Ligue 1 soap opera has resumed its rights as it ended in 2024, with its uncertainties, its confirmations, its reversals of situation and a rather pleasant spectacle in the four corners of the country. Well placed in the first part of the table, Lens and Auxerre have had a bad start to 2025.
Toulouse disrupts Lens
The Sang et Or were picked up cold by a team from Toulouse in sparkling form (0-1). A key man in this Téfécé team, Aboukhlal scored the only goal of the match by authoritatively converting a penalty that he himself had obtained (0-1, 73rd).
A scenario made easier by the expulsion of Pereira da Costa on the hour mark (61st). If Koffi has multiplied his feats to avoid a heavier bill, Will Still’s men will keep bitter memories of this first of the year. The score did not change after an electric end to the match. This short but precious success even allows Toulouse to return to the level of its host of the day.
Strasbourg stops Auxerre
In Alsace, AJ Auxerre maintained the illusion of a great operation, but it was without counting on the reaction capacity of Racing Club de Strasbourg (3-1). Trailing after the 7th goal of the season from the inevitable Hamed Junior Traoré (0-1, 14th), the residents of La Meinau found the resources to resurface just before half-time, on a penalty converted by the precious Diarra (1-1, 45th+4).
A turning point, certainly, since Strasbourg then scored twice in the second half, by Félix Lemarechal (2-1, 59th) and Emmanuel Emegha, passer then scorer (3-1, 87th). Frustrating, for a promoted player who was not unworthy with several hot opportunities, including a 60-meter lob from Jubal released by Petrovic (57th). Tenth, Strasbourg gives itself some breathing space and comes back to within one point of Auxerre.
Brest falls back into its failings
Finally, Stade Brestois showed its bad side on the Angers pitch (1-0). Esteban Lepaul quickly broke the deadlock to score the only goal of this match. Unable to make the most of its highlights, Eric Roy’s team fell back into trouble after three consecutive victories in all competitions. Brest is in twelfth place. Angers, fourteenth, is taking a real breath of fresh air.
