Ligue 1 performed a recreation on New Yr’s Eve for the primary time in 62 years and caused quite a stir. The league has named it “Celebration Week”, utilizing the time period in French and English to assist market this distinctive interval when the French league hosts matches for the sixteenth Matchday on 28 December and 29 December. seventeenth January 1st and 2nd January for matchday.

A lot of the followers did not appear to love it, so most of them Ultras He boycotted the matches, and those that went unfurled banners with the phrases “Soccer Weekend”. Followers weren’t the one ones upset: Rennes supervisor Bruno Genesio took a tough hit on Ligue 1’s governing physique, the Ligue de Soccer Professionnel (LFP), for importing the thought of ​​Christmas video games from England.

“I hope [LFP executives] “They’re going to be on the video games… they usually will not be on the seashore on trip, as a result of they’re those with this shiny thought.” “I do not assume the gamers are very happy. . In England sure, however a distinct tradition. That is totally different.”

Nonetheless, Ligue 1 is again with a vengeance and 2023 shall be a blast. This is what to anticipate from the remainder of the 2022-23 season.

Do we actually have a championship race? Sure we do!

On January 1, Lens kicked off the brand new 12 months with an unbelievable 3-1 win over Paris Saint-Germain on the Stade Bollaert. It was a conflict on the prime of the desk – Lens second, PSG first – and the house group took full benefit. Not solely did they lean in opposition to the unbelievable environment (over 38,000 attendees), however Neymar (suspension) and Lionel Messi (nonetheless on recess) and the indifference of league leaders who’re clearly lower than the problem and attempting to match Lens’s depth and want.

– PSG surprised by the second-place Lens

PSG’s first league defeat of the season – and certainly its first defeat in Ligue 1 since March 20, 2022 – implies that there are presently solely 4 factors between the 2 sides and is essential to the title race. Each side have misplaced simply as soon as this season, and with no European involvement on their schedule, Lens has way more time and ability to deal with the league than PSG, which has had its Champions League major purpose this season.

Sunday’s consequence additionally means Marseille isn’t far behind! Igor Tudor‘s facet is eight factors behind the leaders, 4 factors behind second place they usually even have religion and momentum.

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Gab Marcotti believes it is sensible for Lionel Messi to increase his PSG contract, however thinks there is not any have to rush into a brand new deal.

Can Lyon save the season? in all probability not

We’re not midway by way of the season, but it surely’s been a very long time since we have seen how insignificant Lyon is on this marketing campaign. They had been booed by their very own supporters of their Sunday residence match in opposition to Clermont with a 1-0 penalty within the 87th minute. They’re eighth on the desk, twelve factors behind third-placed Marseille, they usually have gained in addition to dropping this season (7). The purpose distinction was simply +6 after 17 video games they usually modified managers — Laurent Blanc changed Peter Bosz in October — and the house owners — this season, too, John Textor accomplished his takeover from Jean-Michael Aulas.

What they provide with the ball ranges from zero to ample. Regardless of the turns of outdated stars Alexandre Lacazette and Corentin TolissoRegardless of Bosz’s departure and rising abilities, who had been by no means ok for the job. Rayan Cherki, Malo Gusto and Castello LukebaThe Lyon is frustratingly common. In the event that they miss Europe once more, it will likely be a catastrophe for the membership and the brand new boss, US businessman John Textor.

Is Good in bother? Colossal!

On the desk they’re even worse than Lyon and their season has been much more disastrous. Regardless of being owned by Sir Jim Ratcliffe, one of many richest males on the earth, Good is working a surprising marketing campaign by way of his firm, Ineos. Simply eight factors away from the relegation line, they weaken in eleventh place.

It began badly with Lucien Favre’s second comeback on the bench, adopted by a awful summer season switch window with outdated/below-average signings — Ross BarkleyAaron Ramsay and Kasper SchmeichelWith simply three names – and solely 5 wins out of 17 video games, the outcomes weren’t ok.

This group has expertise however no route and apparently no soul. The one excellent news is that they managed to draw sporting director Florent Ghislofi from Lens to supervise their remake. He is likely one of the finest in Europe on this position and is presently Good’s solely hope for a brighter future.

Will the battle for survival be epic? Oh sure, it is going to!

For the primary time in France’s prime flight historical past, there shall be 4 golf equipment relegated on the finish of the season as they transfer from a 20-team, 38-game league to an 18-team, 36-game league. Because of this, the battle for survival has by no means been extra tense or tight as Brest, Auxerre, Strasbourg and Angers are presently caught in these 4 positions.

There’s simply 10 factors separating the underside facet Angers and Thirteenth-placed Troyes, and simply 9 factors separating Brest and Auxerre, seventeenth and 18th, respectively, and Clermont, ninth. With such good margins, two or three wins in a row might push you from doomed to mid-table.

Strasbourg, who haven’t but gained this marketing campaign at residence, have completed the final 4, however it’s probably that these is not going to be the relegated 4 on the finish of Might. All of them have totally different issues and kinds, however proper now all they need is to get others into their struggle.