The Figaro sports department gives you its eleven of the flops of the Ligue 1 season. With in particular an attacking trio from Lille.
The goalkeeper
Very few names have been mentioned for the goalkeeper position. And the one who received the most votes in our sports department is none other than Benoît Costil (Bordeaux, 34 years old). The Girondin goalkeeper had a nightmarish season both on the pitch – 62 goals conceded in 25 matches and relegation to Ligue 2 – and outside of sport, with a particularly tumultuous relationship with a (small) part of the Marine supporters and White. A 2021-22 exercise far from its standards and to be forgotten for the ex-French international. In our votes, he is well ahead of Stéphanois Paul Bernardoni and Messin Alexandre Oukidja, who also struggled with their respective teams to stay in Ligue 1 next season.
Read also“Like a car on which we would come to do the crash test”: behind the scenes of the laboratories of the new Ligue 1 ball
The defenders
Arrived at Paris Saint-Germain for free last summer after his contract with Real Madrid expired, Sergio Ramos (PSG, 36 years old) only played 11 small Ligue 1 matches. The reason? Repeated injuries. And it is precisely this lack of playing time that harmed him when selecting our flops for the 2021-22 season. The Spaniard thus takes his place in our three-man defense. At his side, we find another player who has not played much, but for other reasons: Marcelo (OL-Bordeaux, 34 years old).
The Brazilian, who was not part of Peter Bosz’s plans in the Rhône, joined the Girondins de Bordeaux after terminating his amicable contract with Les Gones. But in the Navy and White, his level did not live up to expectations. He did not allow the Girondin club, relegated, to raise their heads. Finally, the third player who makes up our three-man defense is Timothée Kolodziejczak (Saint-Etienne, 30 ans). Despite a flawless commitment, the versatile defender of the Greens chained major errors, costing goals and points to his team. Performances that contrast with what he had been able to demonstrate in the past. His teammate Eliaquim Mangala, Bordeaux Stian Gregersen and Lyonnais Jérôme Boateng also obtained votes.
SEE ALSO – Mbappé and Ramos scorers, Michut expelled: the summary of Angers-PSG on April 20 (0-3)
For the right piston station, we find Pol Lirola (OM, 24 years old). Sparkling on the second part of last season with Olympique de Marseille, the Spaniard has been unrecognizable for very long months. So much so that he had to settle for playing the understudy of Valentin Rongier, to whom Jorge Sampaoli entrusted a hybrid role. On the other side, it is a Lyonnais who was chosen by our editorial staff: Emerson (OL, 27 ans). The Italian, who arrived in the Rhône with the status of European champion, did not have the expected performance. Other players were cited in these two positions: Lyonnais Léo Dubois, Stéphanois Sada Thioub but also Bordeaux Ricardo Mangas.
Read alsoNews, prices and club “rivalries”: 5 questions about the new Ligue 1 ball
Midfielders
In the midfield, a player was almost unanimous. It is Georginio Wijnaldum (PSG, 31 years). His arrival – free – at Paris Saint-Germain last summer should allow the capital club to take a step forward in the game and in terms of mentality. It has not happened. The Dutchman was not at all level, showing real shortcomings, to the point of finding himself on the bench of substitutes. At his side, we find another Bordelais in the person of Fransérgio (Bordeaux, 31). Bought from SC Braga last summer, the Brazilian also disappointed, little helped by the Girondin context. In our votes, he was slightly ahead of Cesc Fàbregas (AS Monaco, 35) who hardly played – only two small entries – for various reasons (injuries, Covid-19, choice of coach). Lille Xeka, Stéphanois Mahdi Camara and Messin Vincent Pajot also collected votes.
Read alsoIdrissa Gueye case at PSG: The Senegalese Federation violently attacks the FFF and denounces “institutionalized harassment”
attackers
Few people could have imagined it: our attacking trio is exclusively made up of Lille players. Surprising in view of last season which had seen LOSC be crowned champion of France. On the right side of the attack, our editorial team has chosen Hatem Ben Arfa (Little, 35 years old). The left-hander joined LOSC this winter and did not shine with his performances (7 matches, 1 assist). Worse, he distinguished himself off the field by being removed from the professional group following a verbal altercation with his trainer Jocelyn Gourvennec. On the other side is Jonathan Bamba (Lille, 26 ans) who was selected. The twirling winger has never really been at his best this season (1 achievement, 3 offerings) and did not allow the Mastiffs to confirm their incredible 2020-21 exercise. The two Lille residents were preferred to Parisian Lionel Messi, Messin Farid Boulaya and Bordeaux Nicolas de Préville.
Finally, at the peak, Burak Yilmaz (Lille, 36 ans) got all the votes from our sports department. So important in the quest for the title a year ago, ‘King Burak’ has literally lost his crown this season. His statistics show it: only 4 goals and 3 assists. In the center-forward position, other players were still mentioned: the Parisian Mauro Icardi, the Marseillais Arkadiusz Milik, the Niçois Kasper Dolberg, the Lorientais Terem Moffi and the Bordelais M’Baye Niang.
SEE ALSO – The incredible impact of Burak Yilmaz at LOSC last season
