Ligue 1 Roundup, Matchday 32
Here is a summary of the games that took place during Matchday 32 of the 2023/24 Ligue 1 season over the weekend, focusing on thrilling matches, surprising results, and standout player performances.
Toulouse 1-2 Montpellier
Montpellier Hérault, playing with ten men, secured their place in Ligue 1 with a 2-1 win over Toulouse at the Stadium de Toulouse. This victory extended their unbeaten streak to six games with three wins and three draws. Despite the disadvantage of being a man down, Montpellier took the lead with less than 10 minutes left, thanks to a goal from Khalil Fayad after a great run by Jordan Ferri.
Toulouse also ended up with 10 men after Rasmus Nicolaisen received a second yellow card for a foul on Yann Karamoh. This defeat all but ends Toulouse’s chances of qualifying for European competitions, as they currently sit in 11th place. On the other hand, Montpellier’s win ensures they are safe from relegation.
RC Lens 2-0 Lorient
Lorient’s own mistakes led to their defeat as RC Lens capitalized on the opportunity to win 2-0 at Stade Bollaert-Delelis. This victory marked Lens’ seventh win in 10 Ligue 1 matches against their struggling opponents. The decisive moment came when David Costa calmly scored Lens’ second goal after receiving a pass from Adrien Thomasson. This win brings Lens within two points of OGC Nice in the race for a UEFA Europa League spot, despite having played an extra game. On the other hand, Lorient find themselves six points away from safety after this Ligue 1 match week, with two games remaining.
Le Havre 3-1 Strasbourg
Le Havre achieved a significant 3-1 victory at home against Strasbourg, ending a six-game winless streak in Ligue 1 and improving their chances of staying in the league. This win puts Le Havre three points ahead of the relegation zone. Strasbourg’s third consecutive loss leaves them in a precarious position as they are not yet mathematically safe from relegation with two games remaining in the 2023-24 Ligue 1 season.
AS Monaco 4-1 Clermont
AS Monaco secured a convincing 4-1 win against Clermont Foot 63, positioning themselves well for UEFA Champions League qualification. This victory adds to Monaco’s impressive run of form, with only one loss in their last 10 Ligue 1 matches (7 wins, 2 draws). The win also extends Monaco’s unbeaten record against Clermont to eight matches and guarantees them a top-four finish. On the other hand, Clermont’s future in the top flight seems uncertain as they have only managed five wins in 32 matches this season, making relegation a real possibility unless there is a significant change in their fortunes.
Metz 2-3 Rennes
Stade Rennes secured a 3-2 comeback victory against Metz at Stade Saint-Symphorien, maintaining their unbeaten streak at the venue for 12 matches since April 2002. Initially, it seemed like the match would end in a draw, but Rennes’ Arnaud Kalimuendo changed the game with a well-executed goal during a counterattack. In the closing moments, Mikautadze received a red card after an incident with Rennes’ match-winner.
This win brings Les Rouges et Noirs within four points of the European qualification spot held by RC Lens, marking their second victory in five games. On the other hand, Metz will be disappointed for conceding late, as they now find themselves in the relegation play-off position, trailing Le Havre and Nantes by three points with two matches left.
Brest 0-0 Nantes
Nantes continued their streak of not losing away from home in Ligue 1, with a dull 0-0 draw against Stade Brest at Stade Francis-Le Blé on a rainy and windy evening in north-western France. This point could be significant for Nantes as it widens their gap over the relegation zone to four points. However, Brest has not managed to create a significant lead over Lille in the competition for UCL football next season. Despite holding onto third place, they are only two points ahead of fourth place.
Lille 3-4 Lyon
In a match that unfolded in two distinct halves, Olympique Lyon staged an impressive turnaround to secure a 4-3 victory over LOSC Lille. This win marks their fourth triumph in five Ligue 1 matches, positioning Les Gones on the cusp of a potential late surge towards European qualification. Lyon, determined for more than a draw, capitalized on their momentum to clinch all three points in added time, with Baldé scoring from Mata’s delivery. This victory propels Lyon to seventh place, just two points behind the European qualification spots, while Brest currently holds the final automatic UEFA Champions League qualification position ahead of Lille.
