2023-11-15 01:36:00
Since the start of the season, Ligue 1 has been very dull. Day after day, the 18 teams in the French first division continually break negative records for the number of goals scored. Last weekend, during the 11th day, 13 goals were scored on the lawns of France. This time, spectators were only able to enjoy twelve small achievements (with one match less, Brest-Strasbourg having been postponed due to damage linked to storm Ciaran). A starving record.
Among the five major championships, Ligue 1 is the least prolific this season. Indeed, since the start of the season, 2.49 goals have been scored on average in each match (261 goals in 105 matches). Renowned for being very defensive, Serie A is still more enjoyable, with 2.52 goals per match. Well at the top of the rankings, the Bundesliga stands tall with 3.61 goals per match, ahead of the Premier League (3.08 goals/match) and La Liga (2.87 goals/match).
But the most worrying remains the comparison with the previous season. Because after 12 days, the nets had shaken much more than this year. In total, 365 goals were scored in 120 matches, for an average of 3.04 goals/match. If the drop in the total is logical given the change from 20 to 18 teams, the average is however not disturbed by this change. However, we remain far from the record, achieved in 1986-1987 and 1991-1992, with 2.09 goals/match.
The departure of scorers as a first hypothesis
But how can we explain this sad record? The exodus of prolific attackers is a first reason. In the top 10 scorers last season, three left the championship (Openda, Diallo and Messi). Elye Wahi and Folarin Balogun have changed clubs and are still looking for their feet at RC Lens and AS Monaco respectively. Finally, Alexandre Lacazette, 27 goals in 2022-2023, is in difficulty, like his club, which has only just won its first victory against Rennes this Sunday.
The strength of the defenses could also be a reason, as could the condition of certain pitches which prevent teams from developing attractive football. The observation remains no less alarming: for several weeks, spectators have been bored watching Ligue 1. When negotiating TV rights for the next seasons, this is undoubtedly not good news for the League. of Professional Football.
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