If you had taken a look at the schedule for the various European championships, you knew that this September weekend was going to be packed with big games. In the Premier League, La Liga… but also Ligue 1.
With the famous Classique between OM and PSG and no fewer than two derbies, the French championship once again spoiled its loyal followers. So much so that after five games, there has not been a single 0-0 draw. Entertaining, isn’t it?
Aguerd sends Marseille to the moon
In Marseille on Monday, it was already late at night when the last horns sounded and the red lights of the smoke bombs faded away. A festive evening dedicated not to the coronation of Ousmane Dembele, winner of the 2025 Ballon d’Or, but to Olympique’s victory over HIS Paris Saint-Germain.
The end of a 14-year drought for OM fans, who had not seen their team beat their rivals at home in Ligue 1 since November 2011. But this time, the stars seemed to be aligned, unlike the Parisian starters, which did not include Dembele, nor Desire Doue, Joao Neves, and Bradley Barcola, all of whom were injured.
The postponement of the match, originally scheduled for Sunday, due to bad weather conditions, did not change anything. And regardless of whether Nayef Aguerd’s goal was the result of a misjudgment by Lucas Chevalier, the ball still found its way into the net.
That’s good enough for Marseille.
Ludovic Ajorque plucks Nice
From last week, we pointed out the importance for Stade Brestois to quickly rack up valuable points at the dawn of a winter that is already shaping up to be difficult. It would appear that we were taken at our word.
Because against Nice, the Bretons did more than just reassure themselves. They may have finally kicked off their season. And they owe much of that to Ludovic Ajorque, who scored one goal and provided three assists against Les Aiglons (4-1).
A very welcome performance that allowed Brest to record their first victory of the season. Another setback for Nice, who kick off their European campaign against Roma on Thursday. Preparing for such a clash could have been done better.
Nantes hold on in the Western Derby, Lens win the Northern’s
Which of Lens, who beat Lille in the Northern Derby (3-0), or Nantes, who surprisingly held Stade Rennais in the Western Derby (2-0), deserved the most attention this weekend? Hard to choose.
That’s why we decided not to — which is a choice in itself.
Because here are two matches that delighted us on this fifth day of Ligue 1. The first, played in the heart of a Bollaert-Delelis stadium in turmoil, pushed into a trance by the flawless performance of the Sang et Or; The second , the scene of an unexpected turnaround for Nantes, given the lackluster performance of Les Canaris in the first half.
Two matches that ultimately illustrate quite well the essence of a French championship that is often criticized (and rightly so), but always as passionate as ever. And exciting.
