Ligue 1 Roundup: Paris Back on Top, Metz in Crisis After Dramatic Matchday 9
Paris, France – Paris Saint-Germain reclaimed the top spot in Ligue 1 this Monday following a weekend of surprising results and individual struggles, marking the end of the ninth matchday. Marseille suffered their first league defeat in nearly two months,falling to Lens,while Metz’s dismal start to the season continued with a heavy loss.
Key Results & Standings:
PSG capitalized on Marseille’s 1-0 defeat at Lens, moving back into first place. Lens’ victory also propelled them into second, having taken 13 points from a possible 15 and overtaking Marseille in the process. Olympique Lyonnais secured a narrow win against Strasbourg, climbing to fourth place in a tightly contested top of the table. Nantes, Angers, and Le Havre each secured their second wins of the season, ending a winless streak stretching back to the start of august. Nantes defeated Paris FC with goals from Matthis Abline and Youssef El-Arabi.Le Havre triumphed over Auxerre thanks to Abdoulaye Touré, while Angers overcame lorient with goals from Prosper Peter and Sidiki Chérif.
Player Spotlight:
Ousmane Dembélé and Randal kolo Muani continued to demonstrate positive form for PSG.
The weekend’s Low Point:
Marseille defender Benjamin Pavard endured a disastrous performance against Lens. He conceded a penalty to Odsonne Edouard and then scored an own goal - a rare double error not seen in Ligue 1 for at least 20 years – effectively handing Lens the victory. Pavard later apologized to Marseille supporters on Instagram, stating, “This defeat is for me, I made mistakes and I take full responsibility for them. When you wear this jersey, you have to be impeccable, and tonight, I was not.” Ismaël Doukouré also had a challenging match, scoring an own goal and receiving a red card for a foul on Malick Fofana.
Metz’s Struggles Deepen:
FC Metz’s return to Ligue 1 has been fraught with difficulty. They have suffered seven defeats in nine games, conceding 26 goals without a single win. Their 6-0 loss to Lille on Sunday was particularly concerning, with goalkeeper Pape Sy being stretchered off with a head injury.
Rebounds & Momentum shifts:
nantes, Angers, and Le Havre all secured their first victories since the opening day of the championship, offering a glimmer of hope in their respective relegation battles.
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