The mystery: Mbappé
Twelve achievements in fifteen L1 games and top scorer at the end of the first leg despite injuries, the covid and the Champions League in August: Kylian Mbappé can be satisfied with his record. Nevertheless, the performances of the world champion raise questions, between excess of individualism, lack of defensive work and surprising attitude. A simple landing in a meteoric rise?
The recruit: Paqueta
33 points out of 39 possible: since Lucas Paqueta plays in Lyon, his new team is fueled by super. Bought 20 million euros from AC Milan, the Brazilian midfielder, the hub of OL’s game, has played a large part in the renewal of Olympique Lyonnais, first in the standings at the break.
The revelation: Faivre
After Ibrahima Diallo, Stade Brestois achieved another very nice move with Monaco by enlisting Romain Faivre for “only” 400,000 euros. The 22-year-old midfielder, who had only played one Ligue 1 match before arriving in Brest, impressed with his technique and his vision of the game. At the break, the new darling of the Brest supporters, who participated in all games since the start of the season (four goals, three assists), has already aroused much envy.
The disappointment: Nice
The arrival of British billionaire Jamie Ratcliffe, the big boss of Ineos, suggested bright days for OGC Nice. But, despite the expenses of the summer transfer window (nine recruits), the Riviera club (5th last season) fails to confirm its progress. If the serious injury of his defender Dante did not help him, Patrick Vieira did not resist and was sacked on December 4.
Sadness: empty stadiums
A few matches with 5,000 spectators and then total closed session: the first part of the season was played for the most part in empty stadiums, frustrating tens of thousands of supporters. Football without spectators is really not the same, and unfortunately it is set to go on for a while yet.
The crash: Médiapro
1.15 billion euros per season for four years. The League rubbed its hands – slashing the champagne – when Mediapro bought the TV broadcasting rights to Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 last May. She was disillusioned in September when the broadcaster refused to pay its first installments, causing concern and disarray in the League, in professional clubs and among viewers. Today, no one knows if the league games will be broadcast in February. And if so, by which broadcaster …
La surprise : Lens
The surprise of the championship comes from the North, from Lens precisely. Promoted to L1 (with FC Lorient), the Sang et Or had a very good first leg completed with 27 points and in ninth place (with a game late, against Marseille). A great successful performance without their “twelfth man” who is even more successful there than elsewhere, the public at the Bollaert stadium.
The unexpected player: Dia
Kylian Mbappé top scorer in the championship at the break, you had to play a lot to win a little by betting, at the start of the season, on the world champion. Conversely, those who opted for Boulaye Dia can now be proud of their coup. Despite the average season of his club, the Stade de Reims, the striker, also author of twelve achievements, shares the title of top scorer at the end of the first leg with the Parisian.
Confirmation: Lille
If Lyon (7th) was able to rage after the final interruption of the championship in the spring, Lille (4th) was more discreet but can also feed regrets. This did not prevent Jonathan Bamba (best decisive passer in Ligue 1 with seven “offerings”, tied with Marseillais Florian Thauvin) and his teammates from leaving on the hats of wheels, and with the manner. Attractive and efficient, the Mastiffs offered a very attractive game during this first leg.
The media stunt: Raymond Domenech
After the ousting of Christian Gourcuff at the beginning of December, Waldemar Kita struck a big blow… media. The president of FC Nantes has, in fact, attached the services of Raymond Domenech (68), the former coach of the Blues who had not taken place on a bench since the 2010 World Cup and the sad episode of Knysna. Since his arrival, the Canaries have not lost anymore, but still do not win (two draws).
The Eternal Return: Hatem Ben Arfa
Talent and genius are not always lost, Hatem Ben Arfa (33) is proof of this. The midfielder, who joined Rennes in September 2018 after more than a year without playing, left Ille-et-Vilaine in June 2019. Six months later, he joined the Spanish club Valladolid ( five games played). Once again free, Ben Arfa returned to Ligue 1 in the Bordeaux jersey at the start of the school year, to the delight of fans of fine play and technical gestures of which he has the secret.
