By Shai Mamou
Lille-Monaco: 2-1
The striking fact of this 14th week of Ligue 1 is undeniably the win of Lille versus Monaco. The win in itself is not surprising because Lille plays the best football in France for a few weeks whereas Monaco is unable to find cohesion and results. But the ability of Rudi Garcia’s team to keep heading the same way is remarkable. With two assists (for Frau and Obraniak), Eden Hazard destroyed Monaco’s defense and sometimes made a fool of his opponents with such nonchalance that his future promises to be golden. This guy is clearly one of the best prospects in Europe and will probably leave the French Championship at the end of the year. With this new win; Lille asserts themselves as the most serious challenger of Marseille.
PARIS CONFIRMS
Paris-Caen: 2-1
Week after week, Paris keeps on proving they are definitely in the mood for a European campaign next year. And regarding their regularity and their luck, why would they only aim the top 5? This championship is homogeneous and not a lot of teams can pretend they played well since the beginning of the season. Without being amazing versus Caen on Saturday evening, the team of Antoine Kombouaré managed to beat Caen. Thanks to a nice header of Hoarau and a splendid move of Erding, the Parisians took the best on a good but unconfident team. Sill engaged in Europa League, the PSG can dream of a happy season ending.
A PATIENT TEAM OF MARSEILLE
Toulouse-Marseille: 0-1
Marseille is getting better. After a loss versus Paris and a draw versus Lens, the Southerners won a difficult game in Toulouse on Saturday. After a few spoiled opportunities and a missed penalty kick (where Taïwo destroyed the post), the team of Didier Deschamps eventually found the nets two minutes before the end of the game. On an accurate cross of Azpilicueta, André Ayew, son of the former icon Abédi Pelé, scored with a punchy header. Everything was not perfect in Marseille’s partition but three days before the crucial Champions League game in Moscow, l’OM regained a little confidence.
THE DERBY OF BRITANNY IS FOR RENNES
Rennes-Brest: 2-1
In the boiling atmosphere of the Route de Lorient Stadium, there was more than a simple local rivalry at stake. Both in the top 5, even if it was a surprise for Brest, Rennes and the Stade Brestois fought well and gave a good show to their fans. The richest eventually won thanks to two splendid goals of Kembo (a bended shot with the left foot) and the forever young Leroy (36) who beat Elana with a powerful shot from long range. With a delayed game to play in two weeks versus Marseille, Rennes has the arguments to be a credible outsider in this championship.
Other games:
Nice-Montpellier: 0-1
Valenciennes-Nancy: 2-0
Lens-Lyon: 1-3
Arles-Avignon-Bordeaux: 2-4
Sochaux-Lorient: 2-0
Saint-Etienne-Auxerre: 1-1
| 1 Lille | 24pts +8 |
| 2 Montpellier | 24pts +1 |
| 3 PSG | 23pts +8 |
| 4 Rennes | 23pts +7 |
| 5 Marseille | 22pts +7 |
