the incredible burst of Lyon, the timid awakening of Paris and Monaco

2023-05-07 23:06:00

Led 4-1 after an hour of play, OL made an incredible comeback thanks to a quadruple from their striker Alexandre Lacazette.

By VD with AFP

OL are now only three lengths behind 5th, Lille, the last virtual qualifier for a European competition.
© Maxime JEGAT / MAXPPP / PHOTOPQR/LE PROGRES/MAXPPP

Published on 07/05/2023 at 23h06

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Lyon won a stunning and spectacular victory against Montpellier (5-4), while Paris SG and Monaco revived on Sunday in Troyes (3-1) and Angers (2-1), far in the standings ahead of Nantes, beaten by Strasbourg (2-0) and pushed into the red zone. The spectacle, the twists and the deliverance in the 10th minute of added time: Groupama Stadium undoubtedly experienced the craziest scenario of this L1 season, during an electric late afternoon in the Rhône.

Trailing 4-1 after an hour of play and a quadruple from Elye Wahi, OL achieved an incredible “comeback” thanks to a quadruple from their “general” Alexandre Lacazette, including an unexpected penalty after 100 minutes of play. went through all the emotions: at the start of the second half, they brandished critical banners and some even deserted the stadium; forty minutes later, they all capsized at the final whistle. This feat revives everything: OL are only three lengths behind 5th, Lille, the last virtual qualifier for a European competition.

Race for a closer Europe

Kilian Mbappé relieved PSG from the 8th minute, relayed in the second half by Vitinha (59th) then Fabian Ruiz (86th) after the reduction of the score of Xavier Chavalerin (83rd). An important victory in the context of the week after Lionel Messi was suspended for a promotional trip to Saudi Arabia not authorized by his club. After the worrying defeat against Lorient (3-1), the Parisian leader regains a six-point lead in the standings over Lens, concluding Saturday’s winner of the summit at the end of the season against Marseille, third (2-1).

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But Paris did not come out of torpor, despite a favorable calendar for the title: after a week of anger, the supporters again held up banners hostile to the management in the Stade de l’Aube. At the foot of the podium, the Monegasques also revived after two big defeats (3-0 in Lens then 4-0 against Montpellier). Aleksandr Golovin and Myron Boadu scored to reassure the Rock club.

With 64 points, he takes off in 4th place thanks to the poor performance of two pursuers, Lille (5th, 59 pts) and Rennes (6th, 56 pts), both beaten on Saturday. ASM is still six points from the podium. The 4th place offers a ticket for the next Europa League, while the 3rd of L1 will compete in the qualifications for the Champions League.

Black series for Nantes

At the other end of the standings, FC Nantes continued their black series against a direct competitor for maintenance, Strasbourg. In a stadium of Beaujoire first motivated then angry, coach Antoine Kombouaré can not find the springs four days before the end of the season. After the slap in the Coupe de France final against Toulouse (5-1), his men lost twice in L1 and remain 17th, now trailing three points from their opponents of the day.

Another team struggling to maintain, Auxerre took a point against Clermont (1-1) and ranks 16th, two points ahead of Nantes. Also in difficulty, Brest (15th) lost to Lorient (2-1). Almost relegated but still alive mathematically, AC Ajaccio (18th) held the draw against Toulouse (0-0). But his relegation, like that of Troyes (19th), could occur next weekend.