Generally speaking, if a football fan wants to be sure of seeing goals galore every weekend, their attention naturally turns to the Bundesliga. But this season, they may also choose to look further west, towards France, where Ligue 1, in addition to being competitive, is establishing itself as one of the most entertaining leagues around at the moment. The eighth matchday is further proof of this.
A record matchday in the 21st century
Since the 1963–64 season, there had only been two occasions when a Ligue 1 match day in a 18-club championship had produced more goals. On the second round of the 1964-65 campaign, when 45 goals were scored, and on the 12th of the preceding season, when only three fewer goals were registered. This time, there have been 40.
The result of several high-scoring matches, from the 3-3 draw between PSG and Strasbourg to Marseille’s 6-2 victory over Le Havre, not to mention the prolific Breton derby between Lorient and Brest (3-3).
In all, 218 goals have already been scored after eight match days. By way of comparison, that is more than in neighbouring Germany (208), which has played one match day less. In Serie A, where only seven rounds have also been played, but where the championship is contested by 20 teams, only 154 shots have found the back of the net. The Premier League, which also includes 20 participants, stands at 209 goals after eight rounds. That is nearly 30 fewer than La Liga (235), which has already played nine matchdays.
A new leader named Marseille
The fact that goals are being scored is one thing… but that’s not everything. In fact, one of the distinctive features of this Ligue 1 season so far lies elsewhere. And the league table is where you need to look to see it. After eight matchdays, only five points separate Toulouse (8th) from Marseille, the league leaders.
A new status that Roberto De Zerbi’s men have acquired thanks to their impressive 6-2 win over Le Havre, allowing them to take advantage of the spectacular 3-3 draw between PSG and Strasbourg a few hours earlier to take the top spot, rarely occupied by any team other than the capital club.
But the state of things right now, especially with Luis Enrique having to deal with a bunch of players out, has left a door open that the Parisians usually rush to shut. The question now is how long Marseille can keep up the pace they’ve set for themselves. For better or for worse.
Ligue 1 Matchday 8 results and table
( ) = League position
- (2) PSG 3-3 Strasbourg (3)
- (10) Nice 3-2 Lyon (5)
- (17) Angers 1-1 Monaco (7)
- (1) Marseille 6-2 Le Havre (16)
- (4) Lens 2-1 Paris FC (11)
- (9) Rennes 2-2 Auxerre (14)
- (8) Toulouse 4-0 Metz (18)
- (13) Lorient 3-3 Brest (12)
- (15) Nantes 0-2 Lille (6)
