the Eleven type of the second day

After a first weekend of recovery which had been very fruitful in terms of spectacle and achievements, the second day of Ligue 1 proved to be a little calmer with in particular many draws despite meetings which reserved a lot of suspense. .

Alexander Nübel, the response to his detractors

Often rightly criticized for his performances which have disappointed AS Monaco supporters time and time again, we must also recognize the German’s ability to play very good matches like the one this weekend against Rennais Stadium.

Author of seven saves, conceding only one goal despite Rennes’ multiple chances and rather precise in his kicking game with more than 38% of successful passes, he contributed greatly to the Monegasque performance of winning the point of the draw. despite the expulsion of Fofana after only fifteen minutes of play.

The other goalkeepers of the weekend :

• Alban Lafont – FC Nantes: once again decisive, author of three saves and three clearances in the fist, he is a real craftsman of the defensive solidity of the Canaries
• Jonas Omlin – Montpellier HSC: before sinking and despite conceding five goals, he notably stopped the penalty shot by Kylian Mbappé and made important saves to try to delay the deadline at the start of the match
• Reuben White – Olympique de Marseille: discreet at the start of the season, he had a very good game this Sunday with a lot of very complicated saves to make and which allowed the Olympian club not to sink and see the Brest return before the start time. Game

Quentin Merlin, hatching

Already very interesting on the first day, the left side, now in a full left piston role in Antoine Kombouaré’s five-man system, delivered a very good performance this weekend. By playing to the best of his qualities, he was able to project himself as well as show defensive solidity against a Jonathan David and a Rémy Cabella who often called on him.

The other left-backs of the weekend:

• Ismaili – Lille OSC: returned during the game to replace Thiago Djalo, the Brazilian who arrived only a few days ago took the opportunity to open his goal counter and allow the Mastiffs to equalize in a meeting where they were badly embarked.
• Issiaga Sylla – Toulouse FC: back in Ligue 1 with Téfécé, the Guinean has gained experience and maturity in his game which is perfectly suited to the qualities of Rafael Ratao in his lane. Very offensive against Troyes, he tried three crosses and touched nearly 90 balls, a very good record for his position as a left side defender.

Rasmus Nicolaisen, a quality libero

Honor to the best defender of the weekend, the Dane from Toulouse who performed very well in this meeting. With two clearances, three blocked shots and an interception, he made a very strong contribution to his team’s clean sheet, which emerged full of confidence from this big victory at the neighboring Trojans.

Andrei Girotto, the leader of the Nantes defense

Designated as the leader of the Nantes defense, alongside Castelletto and Pallois, Andrei Girotto fulfills his role wonderfully by sliding perfectly in this three-man defense. Well helped by Chirivella and Moutoussamy in their defensive spots in the midfield, he is already well established in the defense of the Canaries.

With a decisive pass on the counter, he even took the opportunity to prove himself valuable offensively, a real landmark for the Nantes collective.

The other central defenders of the weekend:

• Julien Jeanvier – AJ Auxerre: solid defensively, decisive by scoring the first goal of the match, Julien Jeanvier achieved a very good performance by teaming up very well with his counterpart in the centre, the Brazilian Jubal.
• Jean-Clair Todibo – OGC Nice: with seven clearances in the game and an energy that made it possible to contain Habib Diallo very well, he once again reigned supreme in the defense of the Aiglons.
• Achraf Dari – Stade Brestois: for his first tenure with the Brestois, the Moroccan offered himself a very good match against Marseille. Clean in defense, very good at relaunch, he started the season very well to hope to win his starting stripes.

Jonathan Clauss, an energy and a precious quality

Already exceptional during his first match with Marseille last weekend, the former Lensois once again shone on his right lane, bringing the speed requested by his coach, especially in the first half.

Well taken then, he had time to contribute to the opening of the score by offering a jewel of center at the far post for Nuno Tavares.

The other right-backs of the weekend:

• Achraf Hakimi – Paris Saint-Germain: while his growing place in midfield makes him a real attacking asset for the Parisians, he once again knew how to contribute to offensive ambitions while being cautious and valuable in defense.

Johan Gastien, the craftsman of the Clermont lift

Installed in the Clermont environment since the 2018/19 season, it represents part of the heritage of the Auvergnats. By relying on one of his strengths, the will never to let go, it is thanks to this state of mind that the midfielder carried his team to an astonishing victory four goals to two. With an assist on the counter, he assumed his role as captain very well and started his season well after the complicated match against Paris Saint-Germain.

The other defensive midfielders of the weekend:

• Jean-Ricner Bellegarde – Strasbourg: still just as valuable in terms of recovering the ball, he also acts very intelligently without the leather between his feet, always pressing with great efficiency and giving good balls in depth to Dimitri Liénard or Thomas Delaine in particular .
• Branco van den Boomen – Toulouse FC: without being decisive this weekend, he still shines as much in recovery and knows how to get the ball back and pass on to his attackers. In regularity, the Dutchman is a guarantee of safety for Téfécé.

Pierre Lees-Melou, a revival of genius and a decisive activity

Lost to Ligue 1 followers after his transfer to the Premier League last season, his experience across the Channel has allowed him to strengthen physically and come back even stronger in France.

Recovered for just over €2m by Brest, he did very well on Sunday evening with nearly 80% of successful passes and a goal he will remember for a long time in recovery from outside the penalty area for the Brest equalizer .

The other midfielders of the weekend:

• Hamza Sakhi – AJ Auxerre: decisive despite a not very high number of balls hit, the Moroccan delivered a second high-flying performance in Ligue 1. With his laser passes and very good ball retention under pressure, the pocket midfielder is still as precious in the Auxerre collective.
• Nabil Bentaleb – Angers SCO: arrived without making the slightest noise in Angers, the 27-year-old Algerian had a complicated first half-season to adapt to Ligue 1. Suspended on the first day, he started his season with a first serious match in a role of midfielder rather on the left side.

Baptiste Santamaria, the discreet Rennes man is talking about him

Aligned in a fairly attacking role, Baptiste Santamaria undoubtedly deserves the title of attacking midfielder of the weekend. Often in a hybrid role close to number 10 organizing the game with the attacking trio Terrier – Laborde – Bourigeaud, he touched nearly 130 balls for 14 decisive through passes, a real performance from a maestro.

The other attacking midfielders of the weekend:

• Lionel Messi – Paris Saint-Germain: magician of the Parisian game, he, with his partner Neymar, shone in a role that suits him perfectly in the new Parisian system. While he almost seems to be finding a cruising speed in the capital, the Argentinian’s game is gradually starting to free itself.
• Muhammed Cham – Clermont: arrived from Austria this summer, the new player from Clermont seems to be the nugget of this start to the season in Ligue 1. At only 21 years old, his goal and his activity in a role of number 10 make him the one of the very best playmakers of this second day.

Neymar, a back-to-back who in dit long

With a performance hailed on the first day and a goal as well as three assists, the Brazilian put the cover back on this second day by offering himself a double in a full game for him. With nearly 100 balls hit, percussion that undermined the right side of the Parisian defense and accuracy in the last gesture as demonstrated by his first goal, he seems to take on a dimension never seen before with this regularity in Paris.

The other left wingers of the weekend:

• Rafael Ratato – Toulouse FC: arrived in Haute Garonne only a year ago, the Brazilian experienced a meteoric progression, still observed this weekend. By opening his counter in the elite, he comes to reward a serious start to the season on the left even if he is able to hit even more on his side and thus bring even more danger to the opponents.

Benjamin Bourigeaud, hard-hitting and decisive

Observed by many clubs at the end of the transfer window, it is not this weekend’s performance that will reassure Rennes fans. With a decisive pass on the clock and a lot of success in overflowing attempts, he created many clear chances and survived in a rather disappointing Rennes offensive performance at eleven against ten.

The other right wingers of the weekend:

• Franck Honorat – Stade Brestois: unlike many of the players in his position, the defensive activity of the winger is an integral part of his added value. By alternating defensive spots and his ability to be dangerous in depth, he played an important part in the very good Brest performance last Sunday.

Come Andric, a clinical precision

Freshly arrived in Auvergne, the Serb has shown the quality that all scorers dream of: realism. With barely more than 20 balls touched, he scored in two of his three strikes to allow the beautiful Clermont comeback against Reims.

The other top attackers of the weekend:

• Rhys Healey – Toulouse FC: used for the second time as a substitute, the Englishman struck as soon as he entered the game to ensure the success of his team. If he continues to show this state of mind and this realism, he could eventually compete with Thijs Dallinga, who remained silent against Troyes.
• Folarin Balogun – Stade de Reims: with a very early game and a penalty obtained and converted, he unfortunately could not allow his people to resist despite an obvious realism and good qualities shown.
• Kevin Gameiro – Strasbourg: still just as realistic and decisive during the few opportunities available to him, the Strasbourg striker knew how to play goalkeeper Schmeichel by anticipating the rebound better than the latter lobbed it magnificently to offer his team a point .
• Breel Embolo – AS Monaco: often named among the very good shots of the transfer window in Ligue 1, the Swiss confirmed the promises placed in him by opening his counter and signing a very clean match despite the draw of the Monegasques.