Ligue 1: PSG wins in the clash against Lyon but Neymar leaves with a grimace

Messi/Neymar, capital duo

The connection between Lionel Messi and Neymar, flamboyant since the start of the season, offered a cannon start to PSG in Lyon: the Argentinian scored after five minutes on a service from the Brazilian, author of his seventh assist in L1. It should be noted, however, that Neymar, replaced at the end of the game, came out looking down, obviously not very happy to give up his place …

This narrow success after a disputed shock is enough for the happiness of the Parisians, at the head of the championship at the truce with two points ahead of Olympique de Marseille, slowed down by Rennes (1-1), and three on Lorient, winner 3-1 Friday at Auxerre.

The bad operation of the day concerns Lens, breathless in Nantes (0-0) and now four points behind the leader. “The people of Nantes did what they had to do, it was us who were not fair enough or sparkling enough”, pointed out Franck Haise, the coach of the Sang et Or.

Mandanda, the ovation

A historic figure of OM, with a record of 613 matches played, Steve Mandanda received a standing ovation on his return to the Stade Vélodrome, Rennes shirt on his back, with applause and chants to the glory of “Fenomeno”.

“It was a lot of emotions, fears, pressure, but also joy. There was this warm-up welcome, it warms my heart, it’s something huge for me”, said confided on Prime Video the 37-year-old goalkeeper.

Todibo, rouge direct

Nice-Angers (0-1), 3:00 p.m.: SCO striker Abdallah Sima kicks off, heads towards the Nice goal and is jostled by Jean-Clair Todibo, full axis, after five seconds. Referee Bastien Dechepy shows the red card four seconds later, to everyone’s amazement!

It’s the fastest dismissal since statistician Opta analyzed Ligue 1 (2006/07). “I’m freed”, laughed Maxime Spano, released after 39 seconds in Lille in 2014 with Toulouse.

Todibo has railed against “very questionable, even scandalous” refereeing decisions this season, but he has been reframed by his captain. Nice must “make a big self-criticism” without “blaming the referees”, according to Dante.

In Reims, defeated 3-0 by Monaco, another red card caused a stir: that of defender Bradley Locko, after a sole on an opponent who came to counter his pass… “The referee killed the match”, dropped the Reims coach Oscar Garcia, and “it’s not the first time”.

Spectacular injuries

The Brest-Ajaccio meeting (0-1) had a worrying first period, with two players violently hit in the head and forced to go out on a stretcher.

Seconds after kick-off, ACA goalkeeper Benjamin Leroy (33) caught a partner’s thigh or knee head-on as he tried to catch a ball. According to his trainer Olivier Pantaloni, “there was a loss of consciousness, he was hit in the neck”.

In the 28th minute, an aerial duel also left Noah Fadiga (22) on the floor, struck in a head-to-head clash with Ismaël Diallo.

Ajaccio signs its first success of the season thanks to Romain Hamouma (65th). The Corsicans remain last but only one point behind Brest and Strasbourg.

A breath of fresh air for Troyes

In the afternoon, Troyes won at Clermont (3-1). This third victory of the season, after two defeats in a row, propels Estac to 10th place.

“It’s not necessarily beautiful what we are doing, there are also technical errors too but there is also this state of mind”, greeted coach Bruno Irles, led to the score after three minutes before reversing the part.