NEWSLETTER Week 38 LIGUE 1 CONFORAMA Week 37 review: PSG claim prize, Strasbourg, LOSC safe PSG took delivery of the Ligue 1 Conforama trophy despite falling 2-0 to Rennes, while promoted Strasbourg and embattled LOSC claimed precious wins to ensure their presence in France's top flight next season. Paris Saint-Germain may have stitched up the Ligue 1 Conforama title back in Week 33, but Saturday evening saw the capital club get their hands on country's top footballing prize at the Parc des Princes - despite having conceded just a third league defeat of the season 2-0 to Stade Rennais FC in midfield legend Thiago Motta's last home game for the capital club before retirement. "Every match at the Parc is special for us, and tonight was especially so as it was our last home game for the season. The Parc also celebrated Thiago Motta, a spectacular player. We will all remember him as one of the greats," said outgoing PSG boss Unai Emery, who on Sunday night received the UNFP Trophy for Ligue 1 Conforama Coach of the Season for his domestic quadruple-winning campaign. "Rennes turned in an excellent performance and deserved to win tonight, but of course we'll also remember the great moments we have had this season with our fans." Although Paris had other things to focus on, the result was a huge one for Rennes, who guaranteed themselves of at least a sixth-placed finish, meaning that European football is a certainty next season for the Brittany club, who had a rough start to the season. "When I took over the club on November 9, I don't remember people inside the club or outside it talking about Rennes qualifying for Europe," said Sabri Lamouchi, for whom Benjamin Bourigeaud and Adrien Hunou were on target. "People don't remember that now. I'm really proud and really satisfied with the work we've done." Meanwhile the race for second and the direct UEFA Champions League berth that goes with it took another turn as AS Monaco bounced back from their recent dip in form. They got the better of in-form AS Saint-Etienne thanks to a late penalty from spot-kick specialist Fabinho, who has never failed Monaco from the spot in Ligue 1 Conforama (12 successful penalties). "This was a fair victory, especially on the basis of the second half when Monaco played to win," said Monaco boss Leonardo Jardim, whose side moved back into second, two points clear of third with just one match left to play. "The players showed the right attitude throughout. It's not over yet and we need to keep our heads on shoulders. If we win the next game, against Troyes, then it's done." Monaco's return to the driver's seat after a three-match winless run between Weeks 33 and 35 owes a debt to feisty Strasbourg, who dug deep to topple Monaco's nearest rival Lyon 3-2 and secure their top-flight survival in a thrilling encounter in front of their on fans in France's east. "The lads did the work. I'm really happy that they succeeded," said Strasbourg coach Thierry Laurey, for whom Nuno Da Costa (88') and Dimitri Liénard (90'+4) produced the late goals that denied Lyon, who would have guaranteed themselves a Champions League group stage or qualifying berth with a win. "The previous three Ligue 2 champions before us had all gone down. We're not going to shout it from the rooftops, but this is a real achievement." The result leaves Lyon vulnerable to fourth-placed Olympique de Marseille, who drew a point closer despite being held 3-3 in a breathless trip to EA Guingamp's Stade du Roudourou. A late Florian Thauvin goal - his second of the match - rescued a point for OM, who let a two-goal lead slip before Ligue 1 Conforama Goalkeeper of the Season Steve Mandanda was sent off (66'). "We lost the match, well, we didn't win it, because of the first goal they scored. At 2-1 it was no longer the same match. We also forget to get going in the second half, and what happened happened. If we didn't win, it is first of all our fault," said OM boss Rudi Garcia, who is sweating the fitness of star 05/18/2018 Ligue de Football Professionnel - 2017/2018 - Ligue1.com 1
man Dimitri Payet (thigh) and right-back Bouna Sarr ahead of Wednesday night's Europa League final against Atlético Madrid at Lyon's Groupama Stadium. Like Strasbourg, LOSC also managed to beat the drop on Saturday, a double from Lebo Mothiba bringing the side from a goal down to beat Dijon FCO 2-1 and move to 15th - their highest ranking since Week 20 - four points clear of 18th-placed Toulouse with one match left to play. "We're relieved and that's the overwhelming emotion, more than joy and pride," said coach Christophe Galtier, who has shown extraordinary mettle to turn the club around since taking the reins in December. "I came into the club firmly believing the club would stay up, although I didn't expect the task to be so difficult. I will see whether the president wants me to continue and then see if things can be modified in a radical manner, as a lot of things need changing." Mario Balotelli hit a double as OGC Nice hammered SM Caen 4-1 to move into sixth and stake a claim on a Europa League qualifying place, leaving Caen in 17th, three points clear of Toulouse and with a goal-difference advantage as their final-day clash at home to champions Paris Saint-Germain looms. Les Aiglons will be looking for a result away to Lyon on the final day, knowing that any slip-up could see them leapfrogged by Bordeaux, who claimed a big 4-2 win over Toulouse to go seventh and leave their opponents in line for the relegation play-off against Ligue 2's Bourg-en-Bresse or Grenoble. Troyes had a chance to capitalise on Toulouse's result and climb to 18th after Karim Azamoum almost broke the frame of the goal with his ballistic opener, but Nicolas Cozza's first Ligue 1 Conforama goal secured a 1-1 draw for Michel Der Zakarian's side. In mid-table action, Amiens claimed a 2-0 win over relegated Metz and Angers fell 2-0 at home to Nantes. Week 37 reactions LOSC's Christophe Galtier and Strasbourg's Thierry Laurey were able to celebrate staying up, while Rennes' Sabri Lamouchi was delighted to secure European qualification. Reactions. Saturday, May 12, 2018 LOSC 2-1 Dijon FCO Christophe Galtier (Lille coach): "We're relieved and that's the overwhelming emotion, more than joy and pride. I came into the club firmly believing the club would stay up, although I didn't expect the task to be so difficult. I will see whether the president wants me to continue and then see if things can be modified in a radical manner as a lot of things need changing. We need experienced players who can set an example." Olivier Dall'Oglio (Dijon coach): "I have to speak about the goals we conceded and how passive we were defensively. Some players lacked rigour. This sort of match hurts. It's time for the season to end as it's difficult to concede so many goals. We put the effort in but our marking is slack. We're staying up though and people didn't expect us to be as good in attack. It's a good season overall." AS Monaco 1-0 AS Saint-Etienne Leonardo Jardim (Monaco coach): "This was a just victory, especially on the basis of the second half when Monaco played to win. Ruffier made two or three big saves but we moved the ball around well. My players showed the right attitude throughout. It's not over yet and we need to keep our heads on shoulders. If we win the next game against Troyes then it's done." Jean-Louis Gasset (Saint-Etienne coach): "Football was cruel to us on the night, even if we lacked technical control. When you don't score on the counter then this can happen. Monaco's goalkeeper was exceptional on two or three shots. There were a couple of surprising results tonight. We'll play our last game with the target of winning it and enjoying a party with our supporters." OGC Nice 4-1 SM Caen 05/18/2018 Ligue de Football Professionnel - 2017/2018 - Ligue1.com 2
Lucien Favre (Nice coach): "Things went well for us as we scored two goals in 10 minutes and a third before the break. It was a pity that when we had the extra man we only managed a 1-1. The other results on the night weren't great for us. Lyon need a result next week too. It will be a final and we still have a chance of qualifying for the Europa League." Patrice Garande (Caen coach): "The match was over inside two minutes. We didn't play and it's hugely disappointing in terms of the way we played and the attitude of the players. It didn't look like we were fighting to avoid the drop. When you are not aggressive enough then it is difficult to get a result. The battle will be with Toulouse as they play Guingamp and we play against Paris. We need a point." RC Strasbourg Alsace 3-2 Olympique Lyonnais Thierry Laurey (Strasbourg coach): "The lads did the work. I'm really happy that they succeeded. Nuno Da Costa freshened things up for us. The previous three Ligue 2 champions before us had all gone down. We're not going to shout it from the rooftops but this is an achievement. It all means that on the final day when we go to Nantes we'll be able to appreciate La Beaujoire that little bit more." Bruno Genesio (Lyon coach): "Crazy things often happen at the end of the season. At the end of the game we lacked experience. We should have looked after the ball and not left ourselves opened up. At the start of the game they put a lot of commitment in and we weren't able to deal with it. Now we have to pick ourselves up again and recover before facing Nice." Girondins de Bordeaux 4-2 Toulouse FC Gus Poyet (Bordeaux coach): "It was a beautiful evening and I asked the players to do what they'd been doing so well in recent weeks. It was a derby and we needed to win. To qualify for Europe, we'll need to win our game and hope other results go our way. I told my players that tonight was a semi-final and that we need to win next week's final. We'll do everything we can so that that happens." Mickaël Debève (Toulouse coach): "It was a difficult game. We managed to open the scoring but then we conceded quickly. At 1-1 at half-time there were reasons to believe, especially with some of the opportunities to counter we had. We can still stay up outright but for that to happen we need Caen to lose. We're still alive and we'll focus on that. We need to play with freedom and not think about the standings." Montpellier Hérault SC 1-1 ESTAC Troyes Michel Der Zakarian (Montpellier coach): "It was a great disappointment as we had the chance to give ourselves a little final at Rennes. We've only won five home games and that's not enough. We dropped two points against the club that are second-bottom of the table. It rather sums up our home season. We didn't show enough quality in attack." Jean-Louis Garcia (Troyes coach): "The result is a huge disappointment given the way we played and the chances we had. We deserved to win. It rather sums up our season. We've had so many chances to kill off games. We're still alive in terms of getting a play-off place. It's so great to play in Ligue 1 and we'll do everything we can in order to beat Monaco. It will be a real Cup game." Paris Saint-Germain 0-2 Stade Rennais FC Unai Emery (Paris Saint-Germain coach): "Giving marks out of 10 is subjective but I'm happy and I'd give myself seven out of 10. I would like to thank everybody including the president. I would like to thank all the PSG fans. We're happy with the trophies we won and this is a solid project. There needs to be patience in order to win the Champions League in the future." Sabri Lamouchi (Rennes coach): "When I took over the club on November 9, I don't remember people inside the club or outside it talking about Rennes qualifying for Europe. People don't remember that now. I'm really proud and really satisfied with the work we've done." Amiens SC 2-0 FC Metz Christophe Pelissier (Amiens coach): "Mentally it was difficult because we've given a lot this season and especially against Paris in our previous game. We'll retain the three points and the party with the fans. At the start of the season nobody expected us to do so well. I think we've deserved our five 05/18/2018 Ligue de Football Professionnel - 2017/2018 - Ligue1.com 3
wins in seven games and at worst w'll finish 13th. That's incredible for a promoted club." Frédéric Hantz (Metz coach): "There's no ultimatum but we need to finish with the inertia and move forward. If we share the same ideas then we'll continue together. I don't know what the future holds but every day is important. I'm really frustrated because I was convinced that staying up was possible. I saw things in the dressing room that I'd not seen in my 20-year career and it disgusts me." Angers SCO 0-2 FC Nantes Stéphane Moulin (Angers coach): "We're disappointed above all. That said, it doesn't call into question our remarkable second half to the season. We came up against a hungry Nantes team that dominated us physically. We wanted to react to falling behind but didn't have the strength this time. Nantes played seriously and they were committed." Claudio Ranieri (Nantes coach): "We played really well and we had some luck too. It's disappointing that I got two attackers back (Coulibaly and Sigthorsson) just for the last bit of the season. I would have liked to have given Sala a rest earlier in the season. It was one of our best games of 2018 and it was important to show that Nantes are capable of doing good things." Friday, May 11, 2018 EA Guingamp 3-3 Olympique de Marseille Antoine Kombouaré (Guingamp coach): "I am proud, even if some of the players were frustrated in the dressing room, because at one point we were leading 3-2 and had the extra man. But, well, when you have such a difficult start to a game, it's tough. In the 14th minute, to be 2-0 down, especially against one of the big teams, is sometimes insurmountable. We showed our mental resources and lots of quality to be able to get a goal back before half-time against an excellent Mandanda. I am super proud by what they showed and for me it was quite a fair result, even if we might always be able to think differently." Rudi Garcia (Marseille coach): "We lost the match, well, we didn't win it, because of the first goal they scored. We conceded two counter-attacks in the 40th and 45th minutes when we were 2-0 up. So our front four were excellent, but in those last five minutes they forgot to help us out. At 2-1 it was no longer the same match. We also forget to get going in the second half, and what happened happened. If we didn't win, it is first of all our fault." 05/18/2018 Ligue de Football Professionnel - 2017/2018 - Ligue1.com 4
UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE Griezmann dashes Marseille's Europa League dream Antoine Griezmann was Olympique de Marseille's executioner-in-chief as the France international striker scored twice in a 3-0 win as Atletico de Madrid won the UEFA Europa League final. Wednesday, 16 May, 2018 UEFA Europa League final Groupama Stadium, Lyon Olympique de Marseille 0-3 Atlético Madrid THE MATCH Backed by a huge, passionate following at Olympique Lyonnais' Groupama Stadium, Marseille raced out of the blocks. Dimitri Payet and Florian Thauvin, two of the chief architects of OM's run to their first European final since 2003/04, linked up to sweep their side up the pitch - Payet then slipped the ball through to Valère Germain. The former AS Monaco forward looked set to give Rudi Garcia's men a dream start, but with only Jan Oblak to beat, he lifted his shot over the crossbar before sinking to the turf, head in hands (3'). Adil Rami half-volleyed wide shortly afterwards and Payet fired straight at Oblak (18) as Marseille looked most likely to break the deadlock until Atletico did. For Griezmann, born just 60km away from Lyon into a family of OL supporters, this was almost a home game, but he could not have expected the gift OM offered him to open the scoring. Steve Mandanda might have cleared his lines, but opted to try to retain possession when he received a backpass, playing the ball to André-Frank Zambo Anguissa. The Cameroon international's poor first touch led to Griezmann being played in behind the back four, and the clinical France international did the rest (21'). Marseille absorbed the body blow of going behind against the run of play, but after Payet, who had been a doubt for the game with a thigh injury, went off in tears just 31 minutes in, their trophy challenge was severely handicapped. Atlético, winners of the competition in 2010 and 2012, emerged from the break with a clear determination to wrap up the game. Only a precisely timed Bouna Sarr challenge prevented Angel Correa bearing down on Mandanda (48') before Koke's pass found a rampaging Griezmann, whose delicate chip over Mandanda and into the net belied the breakneck speed at which he was moving (49'). The France international forward then had a powerful shot deflected behind by Luiz Gustavo (52') and Diego Godin headed narrowly wide from the resulting corner (53') as Diego Simeone's men pressed menacingly. Kostas Mitroglou, a second-half replacement for Germain, headed against a post in the closing stages (80') and Jordan Amavi's drive brought a routine save from Oblak (83') before Gabi drilled a low shot into the far corner to leave Marseille in tears (89'). THE PLAYER: Luiz Gustavo - Not so much for his performance in the final, but for the Brazilian's stunning contribution to Marseille getting that far in the first place. The fact Payet gave him the armband when the OM captain was forced off tells its own story. THE STAT: 3 Marseille now share an unwanted record with Benfica having lost their third UEFA Cup/Europa League final (1999, 2004 & 2018). 05/18/2018 Ligue de Football Professionnel - 2017/2018 - Ligue1.com 5
Garcia: 'Out of luck' Olympique de Marseille boss Rudi Garcia acknowledged that his side couldn't catch as break as they fell 3-0 to Atlético Madrid in the UEFA Europa League final at Lyon's Groupama Stadium on Wednesday night. Wednesday, 16 May, 2018 UEFA Europa League final Groupama Stadium, Lyon Olympique de Marseille 0-3 Atlético Madrid Rudi Garcia (Olympique de Marseille coach): "We had the best chance first up [through Germain] and then we made a mistake that cost us a goal. Against a team like Atlético you cannot afford to fall behind. We were out of luck when Mitroglou hit the post. A goal then would have got us back into the match. Atlético are a great team and we have no reason to be ashamed of this loss." Adil Rami (Olympique de Marseille defender): "The final step was too far for us but we fought for everything. We lacked experience. Against a team like this you shouldn't try to play football. You need to knock it long and high and win second balls. When you try to play and lose the ball against them, that's when you're in trouble. The opening goal we conceded was the turning point. Up until then we had troubled their defence." Diego Simeone (Atlético Madrid coach): "It's been a challenging season and I think the Europa League represents more than a trophy: it's a victory for everything we stand for, for hard work and industry. We've reinvented ourselves in this competition, and against Arsenal [in the semi-finals] we showed what we're all about. We did so again tonight." Antoine Griezmann (Atlético Madrid forward): "I've been working to experience such a moment for many years. I left home when I was 14 for that. We'll celebrate. My family is here. Hats off to Marseille, a great team. I don't know how to describe the finish [for my second goal]; perhaps cold-blooded." 05/18/2018 Ligue de Football Professionnel - 2017/2018 - Ligue1.com 6
LES BLEUS Les Bleus: Thauvin, Fekir in, Payet out On Thursday night, France coach Didier Deschamps announced his 23-man for World Cup squad, naming Ligue 1 Conforama stars Nabil Fekir (OL) and Florian Thauvin (OM) but unable to include the injured Dimitri Payet (OM). Deschamps' list featured mainly familiar faces but notable was his inclusion of Ligue 1 Conforama attacking stars Florian Thauvin (22 goals, 11 assists) and Nabil Fekir, both of whom have had excellent seasons and played key roles as their clubs fight it out for the top spots in France's top flight. Left-back Lucas Hernandez, a Europa League winner with Atlético Madrid, earned his second call-up while fit-again full-backs Djibril Sidibé and Benjamin Mendy were named along with FC Sevilla defensive midfielder Steven Nzonzi. "A team is not just about stars; Steven is not a creative genius but he is very effective in his role," explained the France boss, who in his playing days was described by France teammate Eric Cantona as 'a water carrier'. "That's what you need in the position he plays in." Meanwhile there was some surprise at Deschamps' decision not to include Olympique de Marseille star Dimitri Payet, who has had a stellar season but who aggravated a hamstring injury in Wednesday night's UEFA Europa League final. "Fully fit, he was a serious candidate for a place in the 23-man squad, but he played the first half of the final and aggravated an injury," explained Deschamps, who will have three friendlies, against Ireland, Italy and the USA in which to prepare before Les Bleus' World Cup campaign kicks off against Australia in Kazan on June 16. "For that kind of injury, you need three weeks before you can play again. But, as it's a muscular injury there is a big risk of recidivism." Deschamps also announced a list of 11 reservists - among them Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Adrien Rabiot and Arsenal's Alexandre Lacazette, but not Payet - who will be eligible for call-up before June 4 should any serious injuries hit the main squad. The 23-man squad: 'Keepers: Hugo Lloris (Tottenham/ENG), Steve Mandanda (OM), Alphonse Areola (PSG). Defenders: Djibril Sidibé (Monaco), Benjamin Pavard (Stuttgart/GER), Samuel Umtiti (FC Barcelona), Raphaël Varane (Real Madrid), Presnel Kimpembe (PSG), Adil Rami (OM), Benjamin Mendy (Man. City/ENG), Lucas Hernandez (Atlético de Madrid/ESP). Midfielders: Paul Pogba (Man. United/ENG), Corentin Tolisso (Bayern Munich/GER), Blaise Matuidi (Juventus Turin/ITA), Ngolo Kanté (Chelsea/ENG), Steven Nzonzi (Sevilla FC/ESP) Forwards: Antoine Griezmann (Atlético Madrid/ESP), Olivier Giroud (Chelsea/ENG), Kylian Mbappé (PSG), Ousmane Dembélé (FC Barcelona/ESP), Florian Thauvin (OM), Nabil Fekir (Lyon), Thomas Lemar (Monaco). The 11 reservists Wissam Ben Yedder (Sevilla FC), Kingsley Coman (Bayern Munich), Benoît Costil (Bordeaux), Mathieu Debuchy (Saint-Etienne), Lucas Digne (FC Barcelona), Alexandre Lacazette (Arsenal), Anthony Martial (Man. United), Adrien Rabiot (PSG), Mamadou Sakho (Crystal Palace), Moussa Sissoko (Tottenham), Kurt Zouma (Stoke City). 05/18/2018 Ligue de Football Professionnel - 2017/2018 - Ligue1.com 7