In Ligue 1, Le Havre and Metz made a successful start
Le Havre, Ligue 2 champion, and FC Metz, its runner-up, returned to Ligue 1, respectively sixteen years and one year after their last arrival in the elite of French football. The return of the HAC to the first division is generally going well. If they remain on a logical defeat against LOSC (0-2), the partners of Gautier Lloris are in 10th place in the ranking, after having obtained nine units in seven days, and are notably ahead of OM (12th, 9 points), RC Lens (15th, 7 points) or even OL (18th, 2 points).
Le Havre’s performance is more than honorable, and the transfer window is already bearing fruit. Author of two goals since the start of the season, Russian attacking midfielder Daler Kouziaïev is already fully integrated into the Ciel et Marine collective. The results obtained in Rennes (0-0), Lyon (0-0) and against Lorient (3-0) confirm this good start to the season, while Luka Elsner’s players face Marseille this Sunday, then RC Lens after the international break.
For its part, FC Metz presents a little more difficulty for this return to Ligue 1. Logically defeated against Strasbourg (0-1) and on the pitch of Toulouse (0-3), the Grenats are 14th in the ranking with two lengths ahead of 16th place, occupied by Lorient. The loss in the last hours of the summer transfer window of Georges Mikautadze, who left for Ajax Amsterdam, could prove fatal for the maintenance of the FCM, especially since the Lorraine offensive sector does not present the same face without the Georgian international. The arrivals of Simon Elisor (0 goals), Oscar Estupinan (0 goals) and Joel Asoro (1 goal) are, for the moment, struggling to convince.
In the Bundesliga, Heidenheim creates a surprise and Darmstadt starts badly
Heidenheim’s start to the Bundesliga season has been rather encouraging. Tenth in the ranking, Frank Schmidt’s players obtained important results against Union Berlin (1-0) or Borussia Dortmund (2-2), but were slapped by Bayer Leverkusen (1-4) on the road . With 4 points ahead of the relegation zone, the Blue and Red face Eintracht Frankfurt, Borussia Mönchengladbach and Bayern Munich in the next five Championship matches.
The joy of the Heidenheim players against Borussia Dortmund (2-2). (T. Groothuis/Press Sports)
Darmstadt had a really difficult start to the season: 4 defeats and 1 draw. However, the Bundesliga 2 vice-champion raised his head by beating Werder Bremen (4-2) last weekend. In the ranking, the teammates of former Rémois Fraser Hornby are 15th, with a small lead over Bochum (16th). Problem for the Fleurs de lys: they face Leipzig and Bayern after the international break.
In La Liga, it’s difficult for everyone
In Spain, the promotions of this 2023-2024 season are experiencing a complicated start to the season. It is Las Palmas which is doing the best with a 14th place in the ranking. The Canary Islands club achieved two wins (Granada and Celta Vigo), two draws (Real Sociedad and Mallorca) and four defeats (Valencia, Girona, Sevilla and Real). The schedule of the partners of Frenchman Enzo Loiodice (ex-Dijon) promises to be decisive, with trips to Villarreal (13th) and Almeria (20th) and the reception of Rayo Vallecano (8th).
For their part, Granada (19th) and Alavés (17th) are struggling to really launch their season. The first has won only one match in eight days (against Mallorca, 3-2). The Red and Whites, however, found the mental resources to take a point against Betis Sevilla (1-1) and Almeria (3-3), although they were trailing each time. The second had started their Championship better with two victories (Seville and Valencia) for two defeats (Cádiz and Getafe). But, the Babazorros are on a bad dynamic, with two new defeats (Rayo Vallecano and Osasuna) and a draw (Celta Vigo).
In the Premier League, Sheffield is struggling, Burnley and Luton tied
The loss of Iliman Ndiaye (Marseille) is surely too heavy to digest. Marked by the departure of the Senegalese international (7 caps, 1 goal) this summer, Sheffield United are experiencing a difficult return to the Premier League. Last in the standings with one point on the clock, the Blades were even eliminated from the EFL Cup in the first round (against Lincoln, a third division club, 0-1 after penalties). A more than disappointing performance, especially since Sheffield have conceded 12 goals in the last 3 matches.
Burnley and Luton Town, meanwhile, have had the same start to the season. Both clubs have four points, but Luton Hatters are ahead thanks to a better goal difference. Furthermore, the two promotions faced each other on Monday for a victory for Vincent Kompany’s Burnley against Rob Edwards’ men (2-1).
In Serie A, Frosinone defies the odds
The start of the season for the Frosinone team is quite surprising. After five seasons spent in Serie B, the partners of the Brazilian Kaio Jorge are ninth in the ranking, even if they have not won in three matches (one defeat and two draws). The results obtained against Sassuolo (4-2), Atalanta Bergamo (2-1) and Fiorentina (1-1) clearly support this analysis.
For its part, Genoa has gotten ahead of the club’s maintenance mission. Fourteenth on the table, the Rossoblu are five steps ahead of the relegation zone, while having already faced Lazio Rome (1-0), Napoli (2-2) and AS Roma (4-1 ). Be wary all the same, since they host AC Milan on Saturday and travel to Atalanta Bergamo after the break.
Finally, Cagliari is experiencing enormous difficulties in its return to Serie A. With two points out of 24 possible, Claudio Ranieri’s men are dead last in the standings, having scored only two goals, against 12 conceded. The next few days promise to be crucial for the survival of the Sardinian club, including receptions from the other two promoted teams where points will have to be earned at all costs.
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