Ben Yedder, ASSE and Bordeaux towards Ligue 2, Messi and Mbappé blaze with PSG: the tops and flops of the 37th day

The tops

• Ben Yedder, the « Federer » of ASM

The opportunity was so good… and Monaco almost missed it. While OM lost 2-0 in Rennes, the Monegasques were also trailing by two goals at Louis-II, Saturday during the 37th day. But their captain, Wissam Ben Yedder, rectified the situation against Brest. He scored a hat-trick between the 44th and 54th minute, including a penalty kick. Reverse dynamics and 4-2 victory for the men of the Rock, new dolphins of PSG.

As a bonus, the French international remains in the race to finish top scorer in Ligue 1, only one unit behind Kylian Mbappé (24 goals, against 25). It was well worth a (barely) excessive tweet from AS Monaco, which sees in him… the “GOAT”.

The second, on the other hand, is a delicious outside of the foot that illustrates how much Mbappé has widened his range this season. Then he scored, too, from the penalty spot. Despite the pressure from Ben Yedder, on his heels in the goals department, he remains the top scorer and the best passer in Ligue 1, 2021-2022 edition. Sunday, it will again be a question next door, with a UNFP trophy ceremony that he marked with a rowdy statement three years ago, and during which his every word will be scrutinized. But at La Mosson, Saturday, it was all about football.

• Messi, a double and a date

The Argentinian did not succeed in his first season at PSG, it is factual, whether in the game or the numbers. Author of a double during the Parisian card at La Mosson against Montpellier, the Pulga may have set a date for a second more fluid season, where he will finally be comfortable in his crampons. He still has for him to have changed his environment after a career entirely spent at FC Barcelona, ​​a specific club in his way of playing. After twenty-one years of Catalan life, the genius of Rosario, 6 goals in Ligue 1 this season alone, has the right to a second chance next year. His end to the season leaves a big reason for hope.

• Lens, pleasure all the way

No one will blame RC Lens for not playing in Europe next season. Still in the running for a place in the Europa Conference League on the last day, the artesian club, 7th with 61 points and only two points from Strasbourg, offered itself the right to dream of a return to Europe, which would constitute a first since 2007/2008, a season in hell and a descent into Ligue 2 at the time.

Solidly back in the elite, through the game, the RCL has bet on the ball and that is enough to delight its supporters and even all those who love Ligue 1, seduced by the principles of Sang-et-Or . So, finally, Europe or not, the Lensois season is good. The bar of 60 points was crossed, the team seduced and knew how to start again after a more complicated winter. As Franck Haise said, Monaco’s reception will be « a great last game to play« .

• Troyes, Clermont, Lorient: mission accomplished

It hasn’t been easy, but Troyes, Clermont and Lorient will do well in Ligue 1 next season. Very perfectible, but rather strong in terms of identity, especially with the ball for the Clermont offensive, these teams have deserved their maintenance despite the dross or the shortcomings. For Troyes, unable to maintain itself during its last climbs, the hour was to satisfaction despite the defeat at the Aube stadium against Lens (1-3).

« The maintenance is validated, it is never obvious. What pride for the club, the City Group (which bought the club in 2020, editor’s note), the staff, the players… We went through difficult times but we went for this maintenance, which is historic. Despite the defeat, there is therefore enormous satisfaction“, underlined Bruno Irles, hired to maintain the team at mid-season.

The flops

• Nice, fishtail end of season

The stunning success against Saint-Etienne has ultimately changed nothing. Beaten by Lille (1-3) in front of their home crowd, OGC Nice lost big in the race for Europe, he who was 4th before attacking the 37th day. Up front thanks to Justin Kluivert’s goal, the Gym then disappeared from the radar screens after returning from the locker room. A total extinction with the air of major mental failure.

A week after losing in the Coupe de France final to Nantes, the Aiglons once again showed their amorphous face. On the side of Christophe Galtier, there was this same feeling of helplessness after the match. The technician was unable to explain the copy returned in the second half. « It is a very big disappointment. We no longer have our destiny in hand, we could hope for a qualification in the European Cup« .

• Saint-Etienne beaten again, Dupraz dejected, the supporters angry

Where is the hero who saved Toulouse? After a good start for his rescue mission with AS Saint-Etienne, Pascal Dupraz is in the process of dropping the flag. Marked by the defeat of his men against Reims (1-2) at Geoffroy-Guichard, the technician appeared without solutions in front of the press, even dejected.

It was enough to hear his voice, with a slow and weary flow, to end up convincing himself that even the Savoyard had let go in his head. « It’s one defeat too many, but there’s still hope, three points at stake and hope to face Nantes… that’s the mission. And then, we will watch with excitement what will happen on other grounds.” We have seen and heard louder as a speech from him.

After the meeting, played behind closed doors, supporters threw smoke bombs at the club’s facilities… a symbol of endless anger. A real quagmire.

• PQ and still rotten evening in Bordeaux

The evening in Bordeaux was rich in lessons. First of all on the side of the stands: the Ultramarines, the main ultras group from Bordeaux, received its team in a rather hostile way, before continuing its mission in the spans of the Matmut-Atlantique. With banners, the supporters went around the owner: the group took, Benoît Costil took (the doorman filed a complaint against the group for defamation) and… surprise, even Gérard Lopez took.

For his part, Gérard Lopez, now dropped by the ultras, spoke overnight in a press release. « I’ll take the night to digest all this. We are probably going to Ligue 2. I measure and I understand the anger of the supporters. We will have a great responsibility to respond to them, take stock and find solutions to recover as quickly as possible. I will express myself coldly after the season. I will continue to put, as I have always done, all my energy into saving the club« .