This 12th day of Ligue 1 opens Friday with a much awaited shock. Paris, current leader in the standings, faces Lille, reigning champion, at the Parc des Princes (9 p.m.). This poster between the two French representatives in the Champions League opposes two teams in need of certainty. Le Losc evokes bad memories for the Parisians, who remain on two defeats without scoring against the Northerners. Last April, the setback suffered by PSG was very expensive: Paris gave up its title, for one point, to Lille at the end of the season.
Since the end of the international break, PSG has been playing games without progressing, a stagnation that questions in view of its workforce of superstars. Especially since the match will be played without Mbappé (sick) or Verratti (injured). The presence of Messi (muscle discomfort) is uncertain.
If successful, Lille could get closer to the podium. A goal also targeted by Lyon (9th, 16 pts) which receives Lens (2nd, 21 pts) on Saturday (9:00 p.m.). Marseille (4th, 19 pts), who missed the opportunity to overtake Nice (3rd, 20 pts) on Wednesday in a replayed match (1-1), goes to Clermont on Sunday (9:00 p.m.). For its part, Nice, solid third, moves to Angers.
The red lantern Saint-Etienne (20th, 5 pts), the only team with Brest to have won no match this season, travels to Metz (19th, 6 pts) on Saturday (5 p.m.), a crucial meeting for two struggling teams to stay in L1.