Lyon condemned Marseille to another defeat as they maintained their unbeaten record at the top of the Ligue 1 table. Valenciennes record their first win of the season with a home hammering of Gijon, PSG laboured to an away draw at Evian and Sochaux grabbed a valuable point at champions Lille. Nice also managed their first 3-point haul of the new campaign, while Lorient climbed to sixth after a comprehensive win over Saint Etienne. Here’s the rundown on some of the stand-out performers in the gameweek gone by in France’s top division.
Anthony Réveillere, Lyon. WhoScored rating 7.71
The right-back played a crucial role in helping his side keep a clean sheet as a 2-0 win sent Marseille to the bottom of the table. Réveillere’s defensive shift saw him make 3 tackles, 1 interception and 3 clearances, as he helped break up the visitors attack. He also blocked 2 shots and made a crucial clearance off the line in addition to winning 100% of his aerial duels as Lyon made it three wins in a row.
Réveillere offered no goal threat at all but he saw plenty of the ball- a tally of 54 touches was fourth-highest of the home side, with 39% of Lyon’s attacks coming down his side of the pitch. He played 26 passes with an 81% accuracy, including 2 crosses from wide as he bombed forward from the back, and also played 3 long balls, with 1 key pass included.
Santiago Gentiletti, Brest. WhoScored rating 7.87
A last-ditch goal from the centre half prevented his side slipping to defat at home to Montpellier. Brest have yet to win a game this season but have at least shown a certain resilience, tasting defeat just the once in their opening six matches.
Gentiletti saw plenty of the ball for the home side- his 57 touches were second only to midfielder Jhon Jairo Culma (72) and he was also second top for passes, with 44. Strong in distribution –an 86% pass accuracy- he also played 3 long balls from the back, kick-starting home attacks from deep.
Defensively, he also impressed- 3 tackles and 4 interceptions were key to keeping the visitors at bay, with Montpellier coming into the match in strong form as the Ligue 1 leaders. Gentiletti’s goal ended the away side’s reign at the top of the table but it helped him on his way to picking up the WhoScored man of the match award.
Maxime Gonalons, Lyon. WhoScored rating 9.21
The central midfielder picked up the man of the match award in the aforementioned game with Marseille. A superb defensive shift saw him make 7 tackles –joint-top with team mate Kim Kallstrom- and 4 interceptions in a battling display for the host side.
Gonalons also won 2 aerial duels and made the most passes of the Lyon team (38) from a total of 62 touches. His distribution was excellent (89%) as Gonalons played 3 long balls, making 2 key passes over the game, which brought about 1 assist. He also had 1 shot on target and picked up the man of the match award for a brilliant all-round display.
Yann Jouffre, Lorient. WhoScored rating 8.55
The right winger picked up 2 assists in Lorient’s 3-0 home triumph over St Etienne. Despite his side having just 45% possession, Jouffre managed 67 touches, and made 42 passes with an 81% accuracy, as he helped send St Etienne to their third straight defeat.
His distribution was varied- 2 crosses, 5 long balls and 1 through ball led to 2 key passes, with both converted to assists. Jouffre’s danger was targeted by the opposition- he was fouled more times than any Lorient player, as he made 2 successful dribbles and fired off 1 shot. A decent defensive shift also saw him make 2 tackles and 1 interception but it was Jouffre’s vital key passes that saw him pick up the man of the match award.
Cheick Diabaté, Bordeaux. WhoScored rating 8.43
Playing as the lone front man in Bordeaux’s 4-4-1-1, Diabaté’s two goals weren’t quite enough to stop his side slipping to defeat at Toulouse. By 38 minutes, Bordeaux looked like they had the game sewn up- Diabaté’s brace had put them in a strong position but the home side showed the type of form that’s lifted them to third in the table with a stirring second half comeback.
Bordeaux had just 43% possession and their forward had 43 touches in the 3-2 defeat, making just 26 passes - joint-second highest for his side- with a 77% accuracy. Defensively, he showed plenty of battle, with 2 tackles and 2 interceptions supplemented by 3 successful aerial duels and his two-goal showing came from a total of 3 of his side’s 6 shots. Diabaté picked up the man of the match award for his toils but it’ll be no consolation- Bordeaux sit just three points off the bottom, with only one win from their opening six fixtures.
