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Fight for the title, race for Europe: the crazy day of Saturday in Ligue 1

2021-04-01T21:19:32.598Z


With the top five in the standings on the lawns this Saturday, including four facing each other directly, Ligue 1 is preparing to experience a day that is both thrilling for the title of champion of France and for the race to Europe.


AS Monaco-FC Metz at 1 p.m., Paris Saint-Germain-LOSC at 5 p.m., Racing Club de Lens-Olympique Lyonnais at 9 p.m., the Ligue 1 program for this Saturday promises to be exciting.

Rarely to be underlined, the top five in the standings will be on the lawns on the same day for this 31st day of the championship.

On this occasion, the

Figaro

sports department

presents the stakes of these three matches which could prove to be decisive both for the fight for the title of champion of France and for the race for Europe.

»SEE ALSO - The Ligue 1 ranking

AS Monaco-FC Metz (1 p.m., Canal +)

“It will be interesting indeed, because the first four teams will play on Saturday.

It will be a very important day, but there are still eight days, so a lot of points to recover. ”

Niko Kovac knows it, this Saturday could be decisive for AS Monaco.

In the position of "hunter", the club of the Principality (4th) has the possibility of putting pressure on its "preys".

In case of victory against FC Metz, the Monegasques would temporarily take 3rd place from Olympique Lyonnais and would be sure to regain points from one of the first two, or even both if they do not manage to decide.

A great opportunity that they will want to seize.

ASM is in favor of prognosis.

Best Ligue 1 team over the year 2021, it found a defensive base that it was so lacking in the first part of the exercise.

After a small period of hesitation, she even managed to combine this solidity with offensive inclinations and efficiency, as evidenced by her large victory (0-4) on the lawn of Saint-Etienne before the international break.

But beware, the Garnets (9th) are not easy to play.

Not long ago they were still fighting for 5th place.

Even if their hopes of hanging on to Europe remain slim, they can still believe in it.

Monaco will have to be wary.

The Croatian coach is also aware of this: "Metz is a very good team, one of the best in the championship on the counterattack, it will be a big fight," he told a press conference.

To see how the 49-year-old technician will adapt, he who will have to do without Ruben Aguilar (Covid-19), Aurélien Tchouaméni (suspended) and possibly Sofiane Diop (touched by hand), three important players in his workforce.

"READ ALSO - Monaco, a defensive metamorphosis

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Paris Saint-Germain-LOSC (5 p.m., Canal +)

It is the shock of this Saturday and the 31st day of Ligue 1. The first welcomes his runner-up, who has exactly the same number of points but has a lower goal difference.

This is the match not to lose for the two teams who hope to be crowned.

The winner, if there is one, will gain a considerable advantage in this final sprint, while the loser could see his pursuers come back in his rearview mirror or at his height.

The meeting should be open, in the sense that neither of the two teams seems to be intractable.

Paris Saint-Germain remains irregular, able to lose at home to FC Nantes (1-2), before surpassing Olympique Lyonnais (2-4) away the following week.

Without Marco Verratti, his master playing hit in the left thigh, so precious to get out of the opposing pressing, Mauricio Pochettino's men could encounter difficulties in the game. But the capital club should still be able to count on Neymar, already back before the international break, to bring creativity.

A question remains: what will be the attitude of the Parisians a few days before a decisive match in the Champions League against Bayern Munich?

One thing is certain, the people of Lille will have their teeth.

Christophe Galtier's players remain on a poor performance: a 1-2 defeat against Nîmes.

To revive, the LOSC will be able to rely on Burak Yilmaz, back in shape, whose movements, presence in the area and efficiency in front of the goal should disturb the Parisian defense.

Above all, the Mastiffs will be revenge after their elimination in the Coupe de France against PSG;

a heavy 3-0 setback that did not exactly reflect the face of the meeting.

A superb match in perspective!

Paris Saint-Germain's 3-0 victory over LOSC in the Coupe de France

Racing-Club de Lens-Olympique Lyonnais (9 p.m., Canal +)

Last poster of the day, but not the least: the Racing-Club de Lens receives Olympique Lyonnais.

The two teams have different issues.

The Sang et Or, 5th, need points to hope to keep their place in the standings, synonymous with the European Cup next season.

They are in the sights of the Olympique de Marseille of Jorge Sampaoli, of the Stade Rennais of Bruno Génésio or of the Montpellier of Michel Der Zakarian, three superior formations on paper.

But with their playing identity, their desire to move forward, the Lensois - "a playful and aggressive team" in the words of the Lyon technician - have created a surprise since the start of the season.

They could pose serious problems for the Rhone club thanks to their offensive going.

Only, OL also have arguments ahead and not just any.

If Houssem Aouar, who is recovering from an injury, will be absent, Rudi Garcia has good weapons with in particular Memphis Depay, Karl Toko-Ekambi or Tino Kadewere to overcome the RCL, not known this season for his ability to contain opposing offensives.

In any case, the Lyon coach knows that his team will not have the right to make mistakes: "We know that Paris and Lille meet so it is essential to win in Lens", he confided in press conference.

Read also

  • Aulas n ° 1, Le Graët in front of Tapie ... The top 30 presidents of French football according to France Football

  • The Ligue 1 ranking

Source: lefigaro

All sports articles on 2021-04-01

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