Ligue 1: PSG sinks in Monaco, OM confirms in Clermont, Lens falls in Lyon… what to remember from the 23rd day

The 23rd day of Ligue 1, which took place this weekend, was marked in particular by the new defeat of PSG in Monaco, the success of OM in Clermont and the reverse of Lens in Lyon. Here’s everything you need to remember.

Nice-Ajaccio : 3-0

Les Aiglons do not stop. Nice and its coach Didier Digard, still undefeated since taking office, logically beat Ajaccio (3-0) on Friday evening. In six L1 games, with Didier Digard at their head, the Aiglons have taken 16 points out of a possible 18. The Brazilian Dante had opened the scoring in the 3rd minute before the recital of Billal Brahimi, author of a superb double in the last 20 minutes (69^e90^e). With this success, Nice has consolidated its place in the top 10, while the Corsican club remains in the red zone.

Monaco-PSG: 3-1

Paris in full doubts. Before the reception of Bayern Munich, Tuesday evening, in the round of 16 first leg of the Champions League, PSG lost sharply in Monaco on Saturday (3-1), a few days after their elimination from the Coupe de France against OM ( 2-1). Deprived of Kylian Mbappé and Lionel Messi (injured) and affected by an intestinal virus, the capital club has completely sunk in the Principality. Aleksandr Golovin (4^e) quickly found the opening before Wissam Ben Yedder scored twice (18^e45^e+2). Warren Zaire Emery had reduced the mark in the meantime (39^e). With this 3rd consecutive success, the club from the Principality can believe in a place on the podium at the end of the season, while PSG is more than ever under pressure.

Clermont-OM : 0-2

On the heels of its victory in the Coupe de France on Wednesday against PSG (2-1), Marseille won on the lawn of Clermont (2-0) and is only five points behind the Parisian leader, beaten in Monaco (3-1). While the kick-off of the match was delayed by more than 45 minutes, due to incidents around the stadium and the use of tear gas by the police, Alexis Sanchez scored twice , from a penalty (44th) then from a header (81st). OM, beaten by Nice at home the previous day, are on a series of five straight away victories before moving on the next day to Toulouse.

Toulouse-Rennes: 3-1

Toulouse has confirmed its good form at the moment. Despite their defeat last week against PSG (2-1), the TFC offered themselves a new success when Rennes came to the Stadium. And Philippe Montanier’s men made the difference in just ten minutes in the first period. Oppotunist, the Brazilian Rafael Ratao pushed into the back of the net a ball pushed back on his post by Steve Mandanda (27^e) before Zakaria Aboukhlal doubled the bet in stride on a new ball pushed back by Mandanda (28^e). Less than ten minutes later, Thijs Dallinga worsened the score with a cross shot (37^e). If Rennes have touched the crossbar (44^e) and reduced the gap with an own goal from Anthony Rouault (55^e), Toulouse signed its 8^e victory in 10 games in all competitions in 2023 to consolidate its place in the middle of the table. Rennes, for its part, recorded its 4^e defeat in its last six league games and sees the podium slipping away.

Angers-Auxerre: 1_1

A draw that does not suit anyone. Angers and Auxerre left on a parity score (1-1). The Angevins had however opened the scoring very quickly with a goal against his camp by Rayan Raveloson (2^e). But as so often this season, they failed to maintain their advantage and the Auxerrois equalized in the middle of the first period on a strike from Matthis Abline (22^e). The AJA striker even had the winning ball in stoppage time, but his penalty smashed Paul Bernardoni’s crossbar. With this result, the two clubs remain in the last two places in the standings.

Montpellier-Brest: 3-0

Successful return for Michel der Zakarian. Back on the Montpellier bench, where he succeeded Romain Pitau, he saw his team get the better of Brest (3-0), which he left just four months ago. The Montpellier team took the lead less than five minutes after kick-off thanks to an own goal from Christophe Hérelle (4^e). Téji Savanier doubled the penalty bet (17^e) and Elye Wahi sealed the Montpellier success in the second half (54^e). With this second victory in 2023, the MHSC passed its opponent of the day in the standings, climbing to 14^e rank. This setback is, on the other hand, a setback for the Breton club, which had not lost any of its last five Ligue 1 matches.

Reims-Troyes: 4-0

Reims continues its good series in the league. Undefeated in Ligue 1 since mid-September, the Champagne club largely won the derby against Troyes (4-0). Will Still’s men found the net in the 10th^e minute thanks to Marshall Munetsi (10^e). Just before the break, Myziane Maolida gave her team a two-goal lead (44^e). The essential Folarin Balogun (50^e), top scorer in the championship (15 goals), and Jens Cadjus (82^e) made the score worse in the second act. With this 15^e match without defeat in L1, Stade de Reims settles in the 1^time part of the table, while Estac, on a series of five games without a win, continues to flirt with the relegation zone.

Lille-Strasbourg : 2-0

The Lille bargain. Worn by Jonathan David, author of a double in the first period (23^e29^e), Losc overcame Strasbourg (2-0). With this 12^e victory of the season, Lille took advantage of the reverse of Rennes in Toulouse to settle in the 5^e place in the standings before moving next weekend to the lawn of the Parc des Princes to face PSG. For its part, a week after its victory against Montpellier, Strasbourg relapsed and advanced to 17^e place before a crucial meeting against Angers.

Nantes-Lorient: 1-0

The Canaries have prepared well for their trip to Juventus Turin in the first leg of the Europa League. Last French club still engaged on three tables, Nantes dominated Lorient at La Beaujoire (1-0). And as often this season, Ludovic Blas delivered his team with a left-footed shot into the side netting shortly after the hour mark (66th). Thanks to these three points, the formation led by Antoine Kombouaré offered a good breath of fresh air by now counting ten lengths ahead of the relegation zone. With this 2^e defeat in three games, Lorient continues to slide into the soft underbelly of the classification and is now ranked 8th^e place.

Lyon-Lens : 2-1

Lens is no longer on the Ligue 1 podium. Traveling to Groupama Stadium, the northern club was beaten by Lyon (2-1) and chained a 4^e consecutive game without a league win. Dominating the game, the Sang et Or were surprised by Alexandre Lacazette, who opened the scoring with a cross shot from the right foot (23rd). If they came back in the game five minutes from the break thanks to Deiver Machado (39^e), they again cracked on a powerful strike from Rayan Ckerki (64^e) before pushing late in the game. In vain. As a result of this new poor performance, the RCL sees Monaco (3^e) overtake him with a one-point lead and three points behind Marseille (2^e). For its part, Lyon (9^e) signed his first victory at home since the end of October and will try to confirm his return to form, in a week, on the lawn of Auxerre to continue to believe in Europe.