OM-PSG shock, Mbappé possible replacement, FC Nantes in crisis...Five questions on the resumption of Ligue 1

The Classic, undoubtedly. Olympique de Marseille welcomes Paris Saint-Germain this Sunday (8:45 p.m.), at the end of the 27th day of Ligue 1 in a match that promises to be enticing. Obviously, on paper the poster appears (largely) unbalanced; this goes without saying, in favor of the leader of the ranking. But the oppositions between the two rival clubs often hold surprises. Consequently, it would not be (so) surprising to see Jean-Louis Gasset's Phocéens, who absolutely need points to get closer to the European places, achieve a (small) feat...despite their significant number of injuries ( Bamo Mïté, Jonathan Clauss, Jean Onana, Ismaïla Sarr, Valentin Rongier etc.). Especially if Stade Vélodrome gives voice to push its team, as it knows how to do so well. The fact remains that the Rouge et Bleu of Luis Enrique are advancing in the shoes of the “arch-favorite”. And they should be keen to assume their status...as they did last September, at the Parc des Princes, where they crushed their opponents 4-0.

Not so sure. Since he announced to his leaders his intention to change direction this summer, Kylian Mbappé has seen his status (totally) changed at Paris Saint-Germain. The “crack of Bondy” went from being an “untouchable” player…to that of a “normal” player. Indeed, Luis Enrique no longer hesitates to leave him on the bench or replace him at half-time. Suffice to say that it is not guaranteed to debut during the Classic. Especially since the Rouge et Bleu are entering a period as intense as it is decisive with important matches every three days (semi-final of the Coupe de France against Stade Rennais, quarter-final first leg of the Champions League against FC Barcelona, ​​etc.) . Will the Spanish coach decide to rotate this Sunday evening to best prepare for future big meetings? 'It's a possibility, according to information from Le Parisien. “It cannot be ruled out that a small turnover will be put in place in Marseille, in order to preserve several elements, three days before hosting Stade Rennais,” explain our colleagues. And Kylian Mbappé could well be one of the players left to rest. This would also be an event since “KM7” was only a substitute once against Olympique de Marseille. It was October 2018. That day, the Frenchman was sanctioned for being late for a talk. He finally came on shortly after the hour mark...and gave his team the victory.

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Behind the Classic, this is THE match to watch this weekend in Ligue 1. This Friday (9 p.m.), at the opening of the 27th day of Ligue 1, LOSC hosts RC Lens. A “Northern derby” perhaps even hotter than usual because of the stakes: the two teams, respectively 4th (43 points) and 6th (42 points) in the standings are fighting to finish in the places qualifiers for the next edition of the Champions League. “Obviously it’s a derby and it’s very important in terms of identity, of rivalry, but above all it’s a very important derby from an accounting perspective. It’s a match that will count in this final sprint. Beyond the derby it’s really important for us,” explained Benjamin André, the captain of the Mastiffs, at a press conference. Franck Haise, the Sang et Or coach, doesn't think otherwise: “It's always a good thing to play matches with such fervor. We are happy to be able to take part in this type of match, even more so when both teams are well ranked,” he declared to journalists. Suffice it to say that we should witness a very competitive match.

A real surprise of the season, Stade Brestois still occupies 2nd place in the ranking, one point ahead of AS Monaco (3rd) and four points ahead of LOSC (4th). And the Breton club has ample capacity to remain runner-up to Paris Saint-Germain at the end of the weekend. Indeed, the Ty Zefs travel to the pitch of FC Lorient (15th), a (very) affordable meeting for Éric Roy and his players. The problem for the people of Brest? The absence of Pierre Lees-Melou, who is suspended for having received three warnings in the last ten matches. Will the Red and White manage to win without their playing master? Answer this Sunday at the beginning of the afternoon (1 p.m.).

The situation of FC Nantes is particularly worrying. The Canaries are currently in a play-off position (16th). To try to revive themselves, the leaders thanked Jocelyn Gourvennec whom they had recruited during the season to replace Pierre Aristouy...And they recalled Antoine Kombouaré whom they had dismissed from his functions in May 2023, a few days before the end of the 2022-2023 season. The former Paris Saint-Germain technician, who saved the Nantes club in 2020-2021 and allowed it to win the Coupe de France in 2022, returns on a “maintenance mission”. But for its debut, the task promises to be difficult since the “FCN” travels to the pitch of OGC Nice (Sunday, 3 p.m.). Will he succeed in creating a “Kombouaré effect”?