The 22nd day of Ligue 1 opens on Friday with a derby that promises to be boiling. Lyons welcomes his neighbor Saint Etienne, a match classified as high risk by the authorities who decided to ban Green supporters from traveling. A decision made given the “relations between OL and ASSE supporters marked by animosity for many years“and having often given rise to violent clashes, indicates the decree published Thursday in the Official Journal and signed by the Minister of the Interior Gérald Darmanin
On the sporting level, Saint-Etienne is in bad shape, last in the standings 5 points behind 19th Bordeaux. Lyon is struggling to get out of the soft belly and is in 11th place despite a victory against Troyes on the last day.
On Saturday, Brest receives Lille. Losc moved up to 8th place thanks to their home success against Lorient (3-1) in a late match on Wednesday. The northern team is back in shape and has secured the services of Hatem Ben Arfa. On his side, Marseilles (3rd) moves to lens (7th). At the Bollaert stadium, the Sang et Or will try to come back to within a point of OM, who however have a match to replay in Lyon.
Fifth two days ago, Montpellier dropped to ninth place after losing Wednesday at Troyes (1-0). His second consecutive loss after that in Strasbourg (3-1). In front of monaco (6th) Sunday, the Montpellier will be deprived of their master to play Téji Savanier, excluded against Estac.
Struck in Rennes (6-0) and under pressure like his coach Vladimir Petkovic, the relegated Bordeaux will have a lot to do during the Sunday reception of Strasbourg, in great shape and now fourth after his victory Wednesday at Clermont (2-0).
Sunday is the turn of reindeer (5th) to go to the promoted Clermont. In closing, the Paris SG, untouchable leader, will receive the misclassified Reims (14th) for the expected return of Lionel Messi, recovered after contracting Covid-19, while his dolphin Nice will go to Metz at midday, recently released from the red zone.