Red card after nine seconds in Nice, two outings on a stretcher in Brest, Mandanda on the return to the Vélodrome with Rennes (1-1): Sunday, the eighth day of Ligue 1 produced strong images until the 1-0 victory of the PSG leader in Lyon.
– Messi / Neymar, capital couple –
The bond between Lionel Messi and Neymar, flamboyant since the start of the season, offered a canonical start to PSG in Lyon: the Argentinian scored after five minutes on a serve by the Brazilian, author of his seventh assist in L1.
This close success is enough after a disputed shock for the happiness of the Parisians, leading the championship at the truce with two points clear of Olympique de Marseille, slowed by Rennes (1-1), and three over Lorient, winner 3-1 Friday at Auxerre.
The bad operation of the day concerns Lens, out of breath in Nantes (0-0) and now four points behind the leaders. “The people of Nantes did what they had to do, we weren’t fair enough or bubbly enough,” said Franck Haise, the Sang et Or coach.
– Mandanda, the ovation –
Historical figure of the OM, with a record of 613 games played, Steve Mandanda received a standing ovation on his return to the Stade Vélodrome, with the Rennes jersey on his shoulders, amid applause and chants to the glory of the “Phenomenon”.
“There were so many emotions, fears, pressures, but also joy. There was this warm-up welcome, it warms my heart, it’s something huge for me,” the 37-year-old goalkeeper told Prime Video.
– Todibo, direct lipstick –
Nice-Angers (0-1), 15:00: SCO striker Abdallah Sima makes his debut, heads for the Nice goal and is pushed by Jean-Clair Todibo, full board, after five seconds. Referee Bastien Dechepy shows the red card four seconds later, to everyone’s amazement!
It is the fastest dismissal since statistician Opta analyzed Ligue 1 (2006/07). “I’m released,” laughed Maxime Spano, who came out after 39 seconds in Lille in 2014 with Toulouse.
Todibo has railed against “highly questionable, even scandalous” refereeing decisions this season, but it has been rephrased by his captain. Nice must “make a great self-criticism” without “blaming the referees”, according to Dante.
In Reims, defeated 3-0 by Monaco, another red card caused a sensation: that of the defender Bradley Locko, after a slap on an opponent who came to oppose his pass … “The referee killed the game”, drops Reims coach Oscar Garcia, and “it’s not the first time”.
– Spectacular trauma –
The match Brest-Ajaccio (0-1) had a worrying first period, with two players violently hit in the head and forced to go out on a stretcher.
Seconds after kick-off, ACA goalkeeper Benjamin Leroy (33) frontally grabbed a partner’s thigh or knee as he tried to catch a ball. According to his coach Olivier Pants, “there was a loss of consciousness, he was shot in the neck”.
At 28 ‘an aerial duel also left Noah Fadiga (22’) on the ground, hit in a head to head with Ismaël Diallo.
Ajaccio signs their first success of the season thanks to Romain Hamouma (65th). The courses remain last, but only a point behind Brest and Strasbourg.
– Breath of fresh air for Troyes –
In the afternoon, Troyes won in Clermont (3-1). This third win of the season, after two defeats in a row, pushes Estac to 10th place.
“It is not necessarily good what we are doing, there are also technical errors but there is also this state of mind”, greeted the coach Bruno Irles, who scored after three minutes before overturning the part.
–
