How to manage the fatigue of its players at the dawn of ax matches? The insoluble equation runs through the heads of Ligue 1 coaches. For this 32nd day, scheduled from April 15 to 17, there are no more calculations to be made. In the race for Europe as to avoid relegation, all points count. But the next day taking place next Wednesday, adjustments could be expected this weekend.
The derby: Lille-Lens, the other hell of the North
The “sportophobes” northerners risk spending a bad quarter of an hour. As an aperitif of the mythical Paris-Roubaix, Lille and Lens meet on Saturday evening (9 p.m.) at the Pierre-Mauroy stadium, for a derby with the smell of powder. The challenge is, first of all, sporting: like Losc (7th with 48 points), Racing (8th with 47 points) must win to stay in the race for Europe. The Mastiffs have been undefeated for six games but hardly brilliant, when the Sang et Or, on alternating current, remain on a convincing success against Nice (3-0).
As with any derby, it is also about regional supremacy. Victorious in the round of 16 of the Coupe de France against its neighbor (2-2, 4-3 on penalties), Lens also won the first leg (1-0). The meeting was marred by clashes between the Lille parking lot and artesian supporters. Consequently, the prefect of the North prohibited the Lensois from making the short trip to Pierre-Mauroy. The Red Tigers, the main ultra blood and gold group, supported by eleven elected officials, filed an appeal with the administrative court. The derby has already started.
The shock: OM the favorite at the Parc des Princes?
We won’t go so far as to tell you to bet your house on a Marseille victory in Paris. But at the start of this Classic (Sunday at 9 p.m.), the Marseillais act as solid outsiders. Riding on a series of eight straight victories in all competitions, OM emerged from the Greek quagmire on Thursday evening (0-1 in Thessaloniki). The physical dimension could however be lacking for the Phocaeans, mobilized every three days by their course in the Europa League conference.
These considerations do not, despite themselves, affect the Parisians. Freewheeling after its elimination in the Champions League, PSG remains on two cards against Lorient (5-1) and Clermont (1-6). Despite a variable geometry motivation in Ligue 1, it is difficult to imagine Neymar and others ignoring this Classic. And this even if, with a twelve-point lead over their weekend rival, the accounting stakes will be derisory. Quite the opposite of Marseillais clinging to the second jump seat, but whose three-point lead over Rennes does not allow the slightest gap.
The figure: 10 games without winning, is Metz already relegated?
When will the Stations of the Cross in Lorraine end? Defeated in the “shock of the last” in Bordeaux last weekend (3-1), Metz is more than ever red lantern. The illusion of a breath of fresh air is not on the agenda, since the Garnets remain on ten games in a row without success, including six defeats and four 0-0 draws. The worst home team has only triumphed once at Saint-Symphorien, against Lorient (4-1).
The reception of Clermont, 17th with four more points (Sunday at 3 p.m.) looks like a last chance match. A glimmer of hope in the middle of this slump? Defeated five times in a row, the Auvergnats do not burst the screen either.
Declared it:
“I don’t want us to feel like we’re coming to work in a factory”
Philippe Clement, coach of AS Monacoat a press conference
Known for its Rock, its casinos and its billionaires, Monaco is much less known for its factories. Do not count on the ASM to industrialise the Principality: at a press conference, the Belgian technician Philippe Clement expressed his desire to “create a family where we do special things”. There is no shortage of distractions on the Côte d’Azur, but in this case, the former leader of Bruges is mobilizing a group back in the game for Europe.
It was not won, but ASM (6th with 50 points) finally got rid of its chronic irregularity. On a streak of three wins in a row, Monaco is entering the final sprint with the wind in its sails. The trip to Rennes (3rd with 56 points), Friday at 9 p.m., is a serious indicator of Monaco’s potential.
The player to watch: Gouiri, the Amine of bad days
And suddenly the fall hit went out of fashion. Flamboyant at the start of the season, the Nice striker Amine Gouiri is in the trough of the wave. The player trained in Lyon, author of ten goals, has not planted since January. Christophe Galtier still places his trust in him, but Gouiri is expected against Lorient on Sunday at 1 p.m.
His awakening is more than ever awaited. The current series of two wins in nine games corresponds precisely to the striker’s period of scarcity. Because when Gouiri is silent, the Gym (5th with 51 points) lacks alternatives: only four goals were scored over the period. Suffice to say, the total is frankly insufficient to stick to the podium, now five lengths ahead.
The full program:
The full weekend program
What game(s) will you be watching? pic.twitter.com/4f9EgQ9nIb
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