PSG without competition, exciting attacks, repeated incidents … What we liked and least liked about the first part of the season

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And now, it’s time to rest. After a 19th day rich in emotions, Wednesday 22 December, Ligue 1 players benefit from a few days of cutoff. The opportunity to take stock of a lively first part of the season, marked by ups and downs.

Show and goals on all floors

So often criticized, Ligue 1 offers a great show this season. This translates into an average of 2.82 goals per game, a statistic higher than the last two seasons at this stage (2.77 in 2020-2021 and 2.5 in 2019-2020). If the figure has not yet reached the German or Italian peaks, greater than 3 goals per game, Ligue 1 titillates a Premier League yet more rated (2.92 goals per game) and greatly exceeds the Spanish Liga and its meager 2, 5 goals per game.

As a result, the number of draws also weakens. With eight small 0-0, Ligue 1 is at the level of the Bundesliga. Only Italy (7) does better. Above all, the French championship is doing much better than the Premier League (11) and La Liga (21!). Who said the grass was greener elsewhere?

The uninhibited game of Strasbourg, Rennes, Montpellier and Lens

In this spectacular Ligue 1, three teams are particularly successful. Strasbourg, Rennes (34 goals each), Montpellier and Lens (33 goals for both) are, behind PSG, the three best attacks

These teams, however not the best endowed financially, illustrate the offensive turn taken by Ligue 1. Metamorphosed by the arrival of Julien Stéphan on his bench, Strasbourg is a hit. The Ajorque-Diallo duo are soaring (17 goals between them), and Racing, close to relegation and often criticized for its defensive play last year, is at the gates of European places.

It is even more convincing for Lens, which confirms the promises made last season. Carried by a hot public and a very offensive 3-4-2-1, the Sang et Or impress. Despite a blow of less well in December, the Artésiens of Franck Haise, 9th, clearly target Europe.

We thought the MHSC was helpless after the departure of its fireworks Delort and Laborde at the end of August. But with the arrival of trainer Olivier Dall’Oglio, resolutely focused on the offensive, the Héraultais have largely filled these departures. The Englishman Stephy Mavididi (6 goals) took over, and it’s all Montpellier, 5th at the break, who dreams out loud.

In Rennes, the attractive game advocated by Bruno Génésio works wonderfully. The Bretons remained unbeaten for two months in the heart of autumn and occupy 4th place in the standings. The rookies Laborde (9 goals), Sulemana, Majer or Santamaria are perfectly integrated into the red and black collective. With them, Rennes has plenty to see, including on the European scene.

Attacking midfielders carry their teams brilliantly

The “League of Talents” definitely lives up to its name. The start of the season has confirmed a trend: Ligue 1 is full of decisive players, creative attacking midfielders who, with a bright pass, a dribble from elsewhere or a surgical strike, can unlock the fate of a match. The Montpellier Téji Savanier, by his influence on his team (5 goals, 5 assists) as by his individual technique, is probably the most convincing example.

Despite a drop in speed in December and a disappointing OL, Lucas Paquetá shone. The same can at least be said of Seko Fofana (Lens), Dimitri Payet (Marseille), Lovro Majer (Rennes), Romain Faivre (Brest) or Ludovic Blas (Nantes). This list, anything but exhaustive, gives pride of place to many clubs. And proves, if necessary, that talent is not only concentrated in the big teams.

PSG, pale leader without real competition

Just reading the standings, one might think that Paris Saint-Germain, leader with 13 points ahead of Nice, crushes Ligue 1. This is partly true, but we can not help but experience a ounce of disappointment with regard to the Parisian services. Too often (Lyon, Metz, Angers, Lille, Nantes, Lens or Lorient), PSG came out with great success, without really mastering the meeting. Not very decisive (a goal) and without real control over his teammates, Lionel Messi symbolizes, despite himself, these stammering Parisians. A year after his appointment, Mauricio Pochettino is struggling to establish his paw.

Paradoxically, this bland PSG but carried by a radiant Mbappé dominates the championship without sharing. The fault, too, with a non-existent competition. Ambitious at the start of the season, Lyon, Marseille, Monaco and Lille are stalling. If their chronic irregularity gives rise to an exciting race for the places of honor, the fight for the title has already been sealed for a long time.

Bordeaux and Saint-Etienne, the historical collection

No, Saint-Etienne and Bordeaux did not expect to play for the title. But after a narrowly acquired hold last year, supporters of both camps were hoping for a quieter season. Las, Verts and Girondins, sixteen league titles between them, are once again embarked on a difficult season.

Red lantern with 12 points, ASSE separated in early December from its trainer Claude Puel. His successor Pascal Dupraz missed his debut against Nantes (0-1) on Wednesday, and the young Saint-Etienne squad does not leave him much leeway. Despite a lot of internal turmoil this summer (change of owner, coach and reshaped workforce), Bordeaux, 17th with 17 points, has won only three times and has never kept its clean sheet.

The Girondins, here Ricardo Mangas and Mbaye Niang against Lyon, have totally missed their first part of the season. (ROMAIN PERROCHEAU / AFP)

With extremely porous defenses (40 and 43 goals conceded, highest total in the championship), the offensive assets of Saint-Etienne (Khazri, 7 goals) and Bordeaux (Elis, 7 goals) may not be enough. Salvation could come … from competition, since Lorient or Metz have so many deficiencies.

Incidents in stadiums

The football world was delighted to rediscover frenzied atmospheres, after eighteen months in camera or extremely reduced gauges. Okay, many forums have, fortunately, offered a superb show mixing tifos and songs. But how can we forget the many incidents, too repetitive, which have tarnished the image of Ligue 1?

In Montpellier, Nice, Lens, Angers, Saint-Etienne, Marseille and Lyon, land invasions or throwing projectiles affected the progress of the matches. The collective sanctions (partial or total behind closed doors) imposed by the League have not calmed the ardor of the minority of troublemakers. Will the measures announced by the government on Thursday, December 16 prevent new incidents? The weeks of recovery will be scrutinized very closely.


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