PSG 2026 better than PSG 2025? “There is more collective certainty than last year”
Video credit: Eurosport
Top performers
- Lens remembers Christophe Gleizes
Lens did not have a Ligue 1 match to play this weekend, due to the postponement of the PSG game. Instead, a friendly match against FC Rouen (2-1 victory) was organized to keep the players fit and give playing time to those who need it.
- Samba saves Rennes from a draw, and controversy for the referees
Brice Samba’s penalty save in the 81st minute on Saturday night at Roazhon Park could be hugely beneficial in Rennes’ European race. The French goalkeeper dived the right way when Amine Sbaï struck from the penalty spot to push the ball away. Samba earned his spot in Brittany’s victory song after the match, as he preserved the three points that could have slipped away if Sbaï had equalized for Angers (eventually beaten 2-1).
Samba also avoided a new controversy for the referees, as the foul given in favor of Prosper Peter, confirmed by VAR, seemed quite light: “I’ve watched the video ten times, I don’t see how you can call a penalty for an action like that,” said Franck Haise after the match, despite the relief of victory. Thank you, Brice.
- When Lyon ultras show support for St. Etienne ultras
Who said there couldn’t be support between rivals? Before the closing match of the 29th day between Lyon and Lorient, a banner hung by Lyon ultras in the North Stand of Groupama Stadium displayed the message: “No to the dissolution of St. Etienne groups.” Supporting St. Etienne fans as two groups of ASSE, the Magics Fans and Green Angel, are facing dissolution procedures from the Ministry of the Interior.
- This time, we really heard the referee
The first test of referee amplification took place last week at Parc des Princes. But due to no contentious situations during PSG-Toulouse, the technology was not used. It was necessary to wait for the second test, this Sunday during Lyon-Lorient, to hear a Ligue 1 referee give his explanations out loud for the first time. In the 66th minute, after VAR intervention for a possible penalty for Lorient, Benoit Bastien gave his verdict: “At first, foul from #77 of Lorient, decision: no penalty,” much to the delight of Groupama Stadium.
Flops
- Auxerre-Nantes, no winner… so two losers?
This match between the 16th and 17th-placed teams in Ligue 1 was crucial in the relegation battle. With so much at stake, both teams appeared tense and the match quickly became tight. A polite way of saying that there wasn’t much entertainment for 90 minutes. Nantes may regret their missed chances and Donovan Leon’s saves, while Auxerre – who didn’t even hit the target – can be relieved not to have lost or conceded a goal. In reality, both teams urgently need points to escape the relegation zone. When you respectively have three and eight points behind the first non-relegation spot, if you don’t win, even if you draw, you still lose a little.
- The Riviera is silent
Similar to the match between Auxerre and Nantes, the game between Nice and Le Havre ended in a draw (1-1) that left everyone puzzled. Nice salvaged a point by equalizing but must settle for another very poor result against 14th-placed Ligue 1 team at home. OGC Nice is now on a nine-game winless streak at home, unprecedented in the club’s history. The last positive memory in the league for the Allianz Riviera crowd was on October 29, with a victory against Lille (2-0).
