Marseille keeps pace, Troyes relegated

2023-05-14 23:47:00

Olympique Lyonnais dropped out of the standings after their defeat at Clermont. Rennes, he returned to a point of Lille after his victory against Estac.

By PM with AFP

OM have almost secured their place on the podium, eight points ahead of Monaco, and Lens are guaranteed to play at least the Champions League play-offs.
© NICOLAS DUCAT / AFP

Published on 05/14/2023 at 11:47 p.m.

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L’Olympique de Marseille won against Angers (3-1) and returned to two points behind Lens, Sunday, during a 35^e Ligue 1 day which sent Troyes to L2 and removed Lyon from Europe with its defeat at Clermont (2-1). Led by the SCO, last and already relegated, OM responded with Alexis Sanchez, Dimitri Payet and a penalty from Jordan Veretout to stay in the race for direct access to the Champions League, two points behind Lens, who beat Reims (2-1) on Friday.

OM have almost secured their place on the podium, eight points ahead of Monaco, and Lens are guaranteed to play at least the Champions League play-offs. For the last European ticket, the 5^e place, which sends to the Conference League, Rennes (6^e) came within one point of Lille by crushing Estac (4-0), which he sent to Ligue 2. Losc only took one point from Monaco (0-0) and Lyon gave up a lot of ground in fifth place, three points from the Bretons and four from the Northerners, three days from the end.

Rennes had a good operation, notably with a double from Karl-Toko Ekambi, and Lyon, a bad one. This time, Alexandre Lacazette did not save his team: he missed the last-second penalty, which would have earned at least one point. The previous weekend, he had succeeded for a miraculous comeback against Montpellier, from 1-4 to 5-4.

The gloomy prospect of a second year without the European Cup is taking shape at OL, under the eyes of Jean-Michel Aulas, president for thirty-six years and recently dismissed. And Lacazette (25 goals) remains behind Kylian Mbappé (26 goals) for the title of top scorer in L1.

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The race to maintain is in full swing

In the race to maintain, Brest won the direct confrontation against Auxerre (1-0) and gives itself some air. The Finisteriens join Strasbourg on 38 points, four lengths ahead of AJA (16^e). The last place in the elevator should be played between Auxerre and Nantes, which occupies the relegation position.

The Canaries took a point in Toulouse (0-0) and remain one point behind the Icaunais. The match started an hour and a half late due to the intervention of the security forces. The Stadium has been emptied while they inspect the stands. Toulouse-Nantes was also marked by the refusal of several actors to wear the flocked rainbow jersey of the fight against homophobia, and dismissed.

Several players are concerned at Téfécé, according to the club, including Zakaria Aboukhlal, and the Egyptian striker of FCN Mostafa Mohamed. Moroccan Aboukhlal posted a message on Instagram explaining that he “respects all individuals, regardless of their preferences, gender, religion”, but, he adds, “respect also includes respect for my own beliefs”. Ajaccio, like Angers, was already relegated.