Olympique de Marseille won against Angers (3-1) and returned to two points behind Lens, Sunday during a 35th day of Ligue 1 which sent Troyes to L2 and removed Lyon from Europe with their defeat at Clermont (2-1).
Led by the SCO, last and already relegated, OM responded with Alexis Sanchez, Dimitri Payet and a penalty from Jordan Veretout to stay in the race for direct access to the Champions League, two points behind Lens, which beat Reims (2-1) on Friday.
For the last European ticket, 5th place, which sends to the Conference League, Rennes (6th) returned to one point behind Lille by crushing Estac (4-0), which it sends to Ligue 2. Losc n’ took only one point in Monaco (0-0) and Lyon gave up a lot of ground in fifth place, three points behind the Bretons and four from the Northerners, three days from the end.
Rennes did a good job, notably with a double from Karl-Toko Ekambi, and Lyon a bad one.
This time Alexandre Lacazette did not save his team: he missed the last-second penalty, which would have brought at least one point. The previous weekend he had succeeded for a miraculous comeback against Montpellier, from 1-4 to 5-4.
The gloomy prospect of a second year without the European Cup is taking shape at OL, under the eyes of Jean-Michel Aulas, president for 36 years and recently dismissed. And Lacazette (25 goals) remains behind Kylian Mbappé (26 goals) for the title of top scorer in L1.
In the race to maintain, Brest won the direct confrontation against Auxerre (1-0) and gives itself some air. The Finisteriens join Strasbourg at 38 points, four lengths ahead of AJA (16th).
The last place in the elevator should be played between Auxerre and Nantes, which occupies the relegation position.
The “Canaries” took a point in Toulouse (0-0) and remain one point behind the Icaunais. The match started an hour and a half late due to the intervention of the security forces. The Stadium has been emptied while they inspect the stands.
Toulouse-Nantes was also marked by the refusal of several actors to wear the flocked rainbow jersey of the fight against homophobia, and dismissed.
Several players are concerned at Téfécé, according to the club, including Zakaria Aboukhlal, and the Egyptian striker of FCN Mostafa Mohamed.
Moroccan Aboukhlal posted a message on Instagram explaining that he “respects all individuals, regardless of their preferences, gender, religion”, but, he adds, “respect also includes respect for my own beliefs”.
Ajaccio, like Angers, was already relegated.
