The second half of the Ligue 1 season kicked off with high drama as Lorient stunned Rennes in the Breton derby at the Stade du Moustoir. Lorient, who came into the clash sitting seventh, edged past their fifth-placed rivals 2-1 in a match full of tension and excitement.
Montassar Talbi opened the scoring in the 14th minute with a towering header from an Enzo Le Fée corner, sending the home fans into early celebrations. Half an hour later, Theo Le Bris doubled the advantage with a well-taken strike, putting Rennes on the back foot.
Rennes, who were still buzzing from their impressive 1-0 victory over league leaders Paris Saint-Germain earlier in January, tried to mount a comeback. Flavien Tait finally pulled one back in the 74th minute, but it proved too little too late. Lorient held firm to secure bragging rights in Brittany and move within just two points of their rivals in the race for European spots.
Marseille, Monaco and the chase behind PSG
The defeat for Rennes opened the door for Marseille and Monaco to extend their advantage in the standings. The two clubs faced each other in what many considered the weekend’s standout fixture. With only five points separating them, both sides entered the clash with ambitions of closing the gap on the leaders.
Monaco midfielder Youssouf Fofana spoke confidently ahead of the match, stressing the need to “send a message to competitors.” Victory would bring Monaco within striking distance of Marseille, who have been in sensational form, winning five consecutive games and breathing down the necks of PSG.
Igor Tudor’s Marseille have been relentless, cutting PSG’s lead to just five points while keeping the pressure on second-placed Lens. Monaco boss Philippe Clément acknowledged the scale of the challenge, noting that both sides play aggressive, attacking football.
Lens chasing history
Lens, who shocked PSG 3-1 at the start of the year, remain one of the season’s biggest stories. Sitting only a few points behind the champions, Franck Haise’s men know that consistency is key. Facing Troyes, a team hovering above the relegation zone, Lens had a golden opportunity to stay in the title fight.
Troyes’ new coach, Patrick Kisnorbo, is still adapting after moving from Melbourne City. The Australian has registered a win, draw, and loss so far. Despite injuries to key players like Florian Tardieu, Kisnorbo remains hopeful of inspiring a turnaround.
PSG under pressure
For PSG, domestic supremacy no longer feels like a formality. Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé, and Neymar have been tasked with leading the club to Champions League glory, but the league campaign is proving far tougher than expected.
Goalkeeper Keylor Navas is reportedly considering a move to Nottingham Forest, a decision that could leave PSG vulnerable if Gianluigi Donnarumma suffers an injury. Head coach Christophe Galtier praised Navas’ professionalism but admitted the veteran deserves respect if he chooses to depart.
The upcoming schedule does PSG no favors. February features seven games, including a Champions League clash against Bayern Munich, a Coupe de France showdown with Marseille, and another league meeting with Monaco. Galtier has already warned that squad rotation will be crucial to avoid fatigue.
On Sunday, PSG face Reims, who are unbeaten in 13 matches. Galtier acknowledged the threat, saying his players will need to be sharp if they want to maintain their lead. The pressure is mounting, and while PSG remain top of the table, their rivals are closing in fast.
This Ligue 1 season promises far more twists and turns, with PSG’s dominance under real threat for the first time in years.
