A dramatic change was witnessed at the top of the Ligue 1 table as teams competed fiercely in their race to secure European berths and attain the glory of winning the Championnat. Including missed opportunities, shocking losses and a whole lot of
exciting action.
Here’s a look on what was learnt from the series of events and results that took place throughout this week:
Money doesn’t buy success
Paris Saint-Germain were tipped as the favorites to win the title this season. However, despite their cash laden accounts and a star studded squad, they do not seem to be dominating as they should have been.
PSG faced a disappointing loss by the hands of Stade Rennais. This hasn’t been the first time that Les Parisiens have seen the face of defeat.
Moreover, it seems like that the absence of http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Zlatan-Ibrahimovic-c38029 is really felt, observing the fact that Les Parisiens have been unable to win a single game during this period. The Swedish striker is an integral part of the club, and without his presence,
the team just cannot seem to find win games.
Perhaps it’s about time that the rich oligarchs, Sheikhs and investors should realize that money doesn’t buy titles. Instead, they should invest sensibly, instead of just buying out their way out of everything.
Olympique de Marseille’s 35-year long jinx continues
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Olympique-de-Marseille-c40127 missed out on the chance to go at the top of the table, and weren’t able to take advantage of PSG’s slip-up for a second straight week.
The former champions weren’t able to end their 35-year long winless streak against Bordeaux at the Stade Chaban Delmas. The match was perhaps the most anticipated this week, and Marseille were expected to leave their haunting past behind. But the worst fears
became true when http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Yoan-Gouffran-c37412 scored the only goal of the game, and bagged all three points for his team.
Les Phoceens would be bitterly disappointed despite their perfect start to the season. L’OM have now scrapped a mere 5 points from their last 5 games.
Lyon’s rise to the top of the table
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Olympique-Lyonnais-c40130 have started showing signs of being serious title contenders. The Lyon based club won against Stade de Reims at the Stade de Gerland, a win that ensured them top spot in the table.
Remi Garde’s men exhibited the same enthusiasm that they have been showing in their recent games.
Both Bafetimbi Gomis and Lisandro Lopez got their names on the score sheet, as the French and Argentine internationals bagged one each. Stade de Reims, however, seemed hopeless despite their continous efforts to score against the seven-time French champions.
This is the first time that OL have been leading the table since the start of the season. Lyon would be looking to continue their unbeaten run of 5 games to ensure their presence at the top of the table.
The heroics of Frederic Antonetti’s men
An optimistic SRFC took all three points home when they played Paris Saint-Germain at the Parc des Princes. Les Parisiens came in as favorites, but were left shocked by 9-man Stade Rennais who managed to scrap out a 2-1 victory.
Despite Les Rogues et Noirs’ bad start to the season, the team seems to be in pretty good shape, and recent results prove otherwise. SRFC has managed to attain 12 points from a possible 15 in the last 5 games.
Right now, the club and fans are positive and hope that the Rennes-based club ends at a better position compared to last season and perhaps get to experience some European action next season.
Defending champions back on track
It was a no less than a shock when underdogs http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Montpellier-HSC-c39945 lifted the Ligue 1 title following the 2011/12 season. However, La Paillade have mostly struggled through the 2012/13 season, with only 3 wins from 13 games.
Despite their lack of experience and players that they can rely on, Montpellier have bounced back. The team currently has an unbeaten streak of 4 games, including stalemates with two of the most attacking sides in the Championnat, Paris Saint-Germain and
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Valenciennes-FC-c40865.
Two-goal lead doesn’t guarantee victory
AS Saint Etienne faced Evian TG at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard expecting easy 3 points in the bag, and that was pretty much the case, before ASSE started taking their opponents for granted.
Max-Alain Gradel scored two early half goals to give his team the lead. ASSE dominated most of the game throughout the first half. However, Evian TG fought back in the second half, and managed to score the equaliser late in the second half, that saw them
sharing the spoils with Les Verts.
The ten-time record French champions need to bring stability and consistency to their performances if they aspire to get some European football next season, and that, Christophe Galtier should be focusing on.
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