Paris, 4-1 winners over Nantes, stretched their lead atop the Ligue 1 Conforama standings to six points as Monaco, Lyon and Marseille were

NEWSLETTER Week 14 LIGUE 1 Week 13 review: Paris pull clear as chasers held Paris, 4-1 winners over Nantes, stretched their lead atop the Ligue 1 Conforama standings to six points as Monaco, Lyon and Marseille were all held. Meanwhile LOSC got a second win in a row, trumping Saint-Etienne 3-1. Paris Saint-Germain looked every bit the title favourites as they cruised to a 4-1 win over Nantes at the Parc des Princes on Saturday afternoon, coach Unai Emery leaving Kylian Mbappé on the bench as his other stars - including a fit-again Javier Pastore - dismantled Claudio Ranieri's valiant Canaris. "I think this competition for places is good as we look for the best collective performance. There are nine matches before the holidays in December and we have spoken to the staff about how to manage the players for the games to come," said Emery, whose side look to continue their unbeaten run in all competitions as they host Celtic in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday night. "Today was good also for the players who came in, like Yuri (Berchiche), Angel Di Maria and Javier Pastore. When you can rotate it helps the players physically and mentally, and helps the overall performance." Ominous words for nearest rivals AS Monaco, who slipped two further points behind the capital club when they were held to a 1-1 draw away to Amiens SC on Friday night. "We didn't manage to achieve our objective, especially in the first half. We didn't control possession, we failed to complete a lot of passes, we didn't play collectively," admitted Monaco boss Leonardo Jardim, whose side are nonetheless unbeaten in five matches in all competitions and now have fit-again captain Fabinho back in action ahead of Tuesday's Champions League clash at home to RB Leipzig. "After that, we managed to play more with the ball, be more creative, but it wasn't enough. We're disappointed, because we aim to win every game." So too third-placed Olympique Lyonnais could only manage a single point as they were prevented from scoring at home - for the first time this season - in a 0-0 draw with a tenacious Montpellier HSC outfit who, despite being winless in three, have lost just once in their last nine all competitions. "We're very disappointed with the result," said OL boss Bruno Genesio after his side's six-match winning run in all competitions had come to an end. "We lacked technical precision and quality, especially in the second half. You could say that the international break halted our momentum, just like other teams that had internationals jetting off to the four corners of the globe. But there was also the way Montpellier played, which makes them the best defence in the league." Meanwhile Olympique de Marseille were out to break a 40-year hoodoo in Bordeaux, but instead found themselves chasing the game and just managing to earn a point when Morgan Sanson struck in injury time - much to Bordeaux boss Jocelyn Gourvennec's disappointment. "It's a huge disappointment to drop two points like that. We weren't rewarded for a really excellent performance in a high-stakes match," he said after his side had gone so close to breaking a three-match losing run with a prize scalp. "We wanted to bounce back for our fans, and even more so against a side playing for a top-three finish." Marcelo Bielsa's LOSC took a big step towards climbing out of the drop zone as they made it back-to-back wins for the first time this season with a 3-1 thumping of AS Saint-Etienne, whose coach Oscar Garcia quit during the week. "We played well and came out with the win, so it's certainly one of our best performances of the season," said Bielsa, of whom expectations are giant following a massive overhaul of LOSC's squad, staff and boardroom over the summer. "This win is a relief, but we'll have to reinforce it in the future by stabilising our position in the table and our standard of play. I saw a good performance from Thiago Mendes, but the fact the whole team put on a good 11/24/2017 Ligue de Football Professionnel - 2017/2018 - Ligue1.com 1

display, tried to go forward, is satisfying." OGC Nice were looking good to build on their Week 12 win over Dijon as Pierre Lees-Melou drew first blood in Caen, but Ronny Rodelin's deft leveller left Lucien Favre's side with just a point (1-1) and a mountain to climb to reach the heights of last season. Dijon, meanwhile, ran roughshod over ESTAC Troyes following an early blip, running out 3-1 winners, thanks notably to a double from the club's all-time top scorer Julio Tavares. Promoted RC Strasbourg stayed just outside the relegation places in 17th with a 2-1 win over ten-man Stade Rennais FC, handing a rough start to new boss Sabri Lamouchi. Guingamp and Angers played out a scoreless draw in Brittany, while Toulouse failed to get the better of bottom club Metz in a match that also ended 0-0. Week 13 reactions - Garcia: 'A positive dynamic' Olympique de Marseille coach Rudi Garcia praised his side's mental game after they scored late in the 0-0 draw away to Bordeaux, whose boss Jocelyn Gourvennec felt his side deserved much better. Sunday, November 20, 2017 Girondins de Bordeaux 1-1 Olympique de Marseille Jocelyn Gourvennec (FC Girondins de Bordeaux coach): "It's a huge disappointment to drop two points like that. We weren't rewarded for a really excellent performance in a high-stakes match. We wanted to bounce back for our fans, and even more so against a side playing for a top-three finish. We stepped up in the way we were hoping to; we took control of the match in fine fashion, opening the scoring early. But two things affected the result in the end: we couldn't manage to score a second goal, and there were certain decisions that went against us. But after having taken an early lead, we should have taken all three points. As four our points tally, we'll take stock at Christmas. We still have six matches to go before then and, if we can play as well as we did tonight, we will collect some points on the way." Rudi Garcia (Olympique de Marseille coach): "When you get a 1-1 draw by scoring in injury time, you always have the feeling of having pinched a result. If things had gone the other way, we would have been pretty disappointed. But the lads maintained their belief right to the end. We put ourselves into a tight spot through an individual error early on, but that can happen. We were a bit sloppy with the final ball and finishing so that's why we didn't equalise earlier, but we were much better in the second half. We knew we could go third with a win [following draws for Monaco and Lyon], but we missed out because of our poor first half. Still, we chased the equaliser all match long and so we're happy with the point and staying on a positive dynamic." Montpellier Hérault SC 0-0 Olympique Lyonnais Bruno Genesio (Lyon coach): "We're very disappointed with the result. We lacked technical precision and quality, especially in the second half. We should have done much much better. We also lacked a bit of freshness. We had been warned, but we weren't able to get out of Montpellier's defensive set-up. In the first half, there were some good things with one or two situations that could have seen us go in front. We didn't do that unfortunately, and after the interval, we lacked far too many things, technical precision, physical and mental freshness to trouble our opponents. You could say that the international break halted our momentum, just like other teams that had internationals jetting off to the four corners of the globe. But there was also the way Montpellier played, which makes them the best defence in the league." Michel Der Zakarian (Montpellier coach): "We played a great game throughout. We wanted to win, but we weren't able to. We lacked precision with our crosses and with our shots, and we made bad choices. In the second half, we took control, notably in midfield. Before half time, Lyon had three good chances, two of which we gave them. We defend well, we have to continue doing that." 11/24/2017 Ligue de Football Professionnel - 2017/2018 - Ligue1.com 2

SM Caen 1-1 OGC Nice Lucien Favre (Nice coach): "It's tricky. It's a shame, because we could have won it. We didn't play badly, we had some good team sequences, we had a few chances, especially in the second half, and we conceded a goal in the last 30 seconds that could have been avoided. But that's the way it is. The cross came in and we should have been more focussed. We didn't start all that well, but we slowly took control of things. Not 100%, but we had a lot of possession. We passed the ball around, we scored a goal. In the second half, we lost too many balls, especially in midfield. We lost the ball too often due to pressing. You have to play quickly, or get it forward quickly and press them. We missed that a little bit, even though we created some chances." Patrice Garande (Caen coach): "It's not a win, it's a draw, but it's a point that's deserved given the balance of play. We started the game well, during 20 minutes or so we went forward and caused them problems. They're a team with good technical qualities and who dominate possession, so if you are late, you don't go forward, and of course there comes a time when they hurt you and that's what happened. But I think our second half was very promising, spending it virtually all in the Nice half, even if they had some chances, but Rémy [Vercoutre] made the saves that needed to be made." Saturday, November 19, 2017 Paris Saint-Germain 4-1 FC Nantes Unai Emery (Paris SG coach): (On Cavani) "We are very happy. For me, all individual objectives that help the collective objectives are good. Edi helps with the goals he scores, with his work and with his spirit. He is a player who works hard and is important to the squad, to the club and to the supporters. (On Mbappé not playing) He came back like other players after the international break. He has played a lot of matches and there are times when it is good to bring in other players. I think this competition for places is good as we look for the best collective performance. There are nine matches before the holidays in December and we have spoken to the staff about how to manage the players for the games to come. Today was good also for the players who came in like Yuri, Ángel Di María and Javier Pastore. When you can rotate it helps the players physically and mentally, and helps the overall performance. Some players play more than others but we want to share around the minutes." Claudio Ranieri (Nantes coach): "I tried to park the bus, and we played well for the first 30 minutes, but then we conceded the first goal. We got a bit unlucky with the other goals but against great champions you have to take your hat off. The important thing is that a negative experience helps the players to improve. We were playing a team who want to win the Champions League, who have beaten Bayern Munich and Anderlecht, who score lots of goals against everyone. I knew we had a good chance of losing. We did our maximum and I am satisfied with the match, albeit I'm not satisfied at losing four goals. This is my first year at Nantes and I don't know what we are capable of doing, but Paris will win the league. They are great champions, highly motivated and have a great coach. They have the quality to win the Champions League." Dijon FCO 3-1 ESTAC Troyes Olivier Dall'Oglio (Dijon coach): "For us the three points were essential. We have seen the other results and it is very tight. I was very worried at half-time. Too many things were not functioning and we could not afford to continue like that. I made two changes by bringing on Saïd to support Tavares, and Xeka in front of the defence. Our start to the second half was exceptional, with the two goals in three minutes. Kwon and Tavares, who again showed his important to the collective with his two goals and the work he put in for the team, changed the game. It was not all perfect, but we held on. We need to take the positives and keep picking up points in the coming matches." Jean-Louis Garcia (Troyes coach): "We had a bit of a blackout between Dijon's equaliser and their third goal. Dijon were lucky to go in at half-time on level terms. And they equalised a few seconds after we missed a chance to make it 2-0. I told the players that playing well in Ligue 1 means winning. It is not acceptable to concede two goals in three minutes. I am not happy with the performance. I prefer to be rubbish, have a team of oafs, but win. I couldn't care less about playing well and losing. We just need to shut up and get on with our work." EA Guingamp 1-1 Angers SCO Antoine Kombouaré (Guingamp coach): "We wanted to win and we did enough to get the three points in the first half. After the break we couldn't swing 11/24/2017 Ligue de Football Professionnel - 2017/2018 - Ligue1.com 3

the match our way, especially after the sending-off. But I was pleased with the bravery of my players. We were solid and we held on. We just need to be more consistent and more solid, stop defending too deep and getting in our goalkeeper's way. But it's a good point." Stéphane Moulin (Angers coach): "We could have done better. We performed well throughout the match, we tried, we were enterprising, but we didn't get the breaks. The Guingamp goalkeeper Johnsson showed with two of his saves why he is going to the World Cup with Sweden. They defended well, particularly with 10 men. We just lacked that little spark to unsettle them. But I am satisfied with the performance. Our goalkeeper did not have a single save to make." RC Strasbourg Alsace 2-1 Stade Rennais FC Thierry Laurey (Strasbourg coach): "We played very well in the first half. The start of the second period was tougher but we were rarely in danger. We lack a bit of experience when it comes to handling matches. It is not a problem when we win but it is something we will need to remedy. We are improving and the lads are realising that they need to be at 100 percent all the time. As a promoted club it is difficult, and you can't afford to only be at 90 percent. That is the reality at the top level. We know where we have come from but I'd like us to apply the basics better, not concede a goal for example." Sabri Lamouchi (Rennes coach): "We put out the best team possible tonight but it was not enough and Strasbourg deserved the win. They dominated the first half and we were very lucky to only be 1-0 down. The second period was better, we were more aggressive and we tried to get the ball down on the ground in the Rennes way. But the sending-off penalised us. I would have liked to continue the run of victories. The next objective will be to get as many players back as possible and prepare for the next match which will be very important for our supporters. If we want to stand a chance of upsetting Nantes we will need to do better than our second half tonight." Toulouse FC 0-0 FC Metz Pascal Dupraz (Toulouse coach): "We should have won the match but we lack character. We also lack a bit of courage. By not wanting to win the game we almost ended up losing. Metz displayed quality so bravo to them and to Hantz." Frédéric Hantz (Metz coach): "We can be satisfied with the point even though we could have won the game. I got positive responses to the questions I was asking before the match. If we keep playing like that we will start winning very quickly. We need to keep believing that we can stay up. I think we can get there." Friday, November 18, 2017 Amiens SC 1-1 AS Monaco Christophe Pelissier (Amiens coach): "You saw how much the public got behind us. I had hoped it would be a party, but I think the people left very happy. They saw an Amiens team that battled to the end. There's a bit of frustration, because by getting point after point, we're not moving forward very quickly. But the team's performance could be described as a surprise. We were able to stop Monaco from playing, and that's not nothing. It would have been cruel not to have gotten a point. The draw, this performance, gives the team a lot of energy." Leonardo Jardim (Monaco coach): "We didn't manage to achieve our objective, especially in the first half. We didn't control possession, we failed to complete a lot of passes, we didn't play collectively. After that, we managed to play more with the ball, be more creative, but it wasn't enough. We disappointed, because we aim to win every game. In the first half, it was negative. In the second, positive. It's not about the system, it's about the style of playing." LOSC Lille 3-1 AS Saint-Etienne Marcelo Bielsa (Lille coach): "We played well and came out with the win, so it's certainly one of our best performances of the season. This win is a relief, but we'll have to reinforce it in the future by stabilising our position in the table and our standard of play. I saw a good performance from Thiago Mendes, but the fact the whole team put on a good display, tried to go forward, is satisfying." 11/24/2017 Ligue de Football Professionnel - 2017/2018 - Ligue1.com 4

Julien Sablé (Saint-Etienne coach): "We've had three days trying to give the best of ourselves, trying to unite. It would have been beginners' luck if we had won this game. I can't reproach the players the effort they put in, even if sometimes it wasn't rational. We're having a crisis of confidence. We mustn't become disunited. We have a big challenge next week against Strasbourg. We'll have to take it on." LOSC fall in Amiens Marcelo Bielsa's LOSC had their recent resurgence checked in the rescheduled Week 8 clash in Amiens on Monday night, Gaël Kakuta starring as the home side scored an unanswered three goals to climb out of the drop zone. Amiens SC 3-0 LOSC THE MATCH No doubt buoyed by their 3-1 beating of Saint-Etienne at the weekend - just their third win of the season and their second in a row - LOSC bossed matters early in Amiens, but the home side weathered the storm and got the measure of their visitors with a display of clinical finishing. LOSC's possession and passing game had Amiens on the back foot, but Christophe Pélissier's men have been solid at the back of late - a 1-0 win and three 1-1 draws in their last four outings - and so it was that they took the lead against the run of play, excellent former Monaco striker Lacina Traoré using his physical presence to control a cross and slide the ball to Harrison Manzala to rifle home (37'). The, just two minutes into the second half, the former DR Congo U20 international struck again, once more benefitting from some strong work from Traoré and side-footing past Maignan to make it 2-0. LOSC managed to reassert control over the game and went all-out to pull one back, combining short passes and multiple runs to try to create an overlap, but Amiens were tireless in defence, with two-goal Manzala regularly tracking back into midfield rather than going in search of his hat-trick. LOSC's dogged pressing and efforts to win the ball led to several excellent situations for Amiens, with Moussa Konaté pouncing late (85') to make it 3-0. The win stretched the Picardy club's unbeaten run to five matches and took them from from 18th to 12th, while LOSC remain in 19th place. THE PLAYER: Gaël Kakuta The former Chelsea prodigy has been in fine form since joining Amiens in the off-season and Monday night's performance was one of his best so far. His prowess in the centre of midfield and with the dead ball was in evidence throughout the evening, but he proved most dangerous in the latter stages, drawing a fine save from Mike Maignan before sending in the free-kick for Konaté to score Amiens' third. He may have just two goals and two assists to his name so far this season but the 26-year-old is playing a crucial role in the promoted club's develop a reputation for punching above their weight. THE STAT: 1 Despite dominating early and out-shooting Amiens 12 shots to eight, LOSC's lack of cutting edge cost them dearly. Bielsa's men only managed one on-target shot - Anwar El Ghazi's accurate but under-powered free-kick (55') - all match, while Amiens, who had just 33.4% of possession, scored their three goals from four on-target efforts. 11/24/2017 Ligue de Football Professionnel - 2017/2018 - Ligue1.com 5

Bielsa: 'We made mistakes' LOSC boss Marcelo Bielsa conceded that his side were at fault in the 3-0 reverse in Amiens, rescheduled from Week 8 due to the collapse of a barrier at the Stade de la Licorne. Monday, November 20, 2017 (rescheduled after orignial fixture was abandoned) Amiens SC 3-0 LOSC Christophe Pélissier (Amiens coach): "It's always a great evening when you win 3-0. What has to be pointed out above all is that there were six changes to the side that played against Monaco, and when you see the performances of those who came into the side, you can see Amiens has a real squad. We'll only stay up if we show real strength together, and they put on a very good collective display. It's a win that reinforces what we showed on Friday. We put on a great performance and it's a deserved win." Marcelo Bielsa (Lille coach): "We have a great ability to attack. We had a lot of situations from which we could create danger, especially in the first half-hour of each half. But we made mistakes. We have to avoid making mistakes defensively in order not to concede a goal. Our opponents, as they did today, try to create chances from our mistakes. We lacked clarity in our play going forward and facilitated their game. The way we play creates chances but requires that those chances are taken. This evening, that wasn't the case." CHAMPIONS LEAGUE Record Champions League win for PSG Paris Saint-Germain thrashed Celtic 7-1 at the Parc des Princes to set a new club record UEFA Champions League victory. Neymar and Edinson Cavani both scored twice in the rout. Wednesday, 22 November 2017 UEFA Champions League, Matchday 5 - Group B Parc des Princes Paris Saint-Germain 7-1 Celtic FC THE MATCH The record books needed to be close to hand as PSG's display was every bit as impressive statistically as their attacking play. The devastating prowess of Neymar, Cavani and Kylian Mbappé proved far too much for the Scottish champions and continues to make PSG's rivals for the title sit up and take notice. This 7-1 expunged the 7-2 against Rosenborg in October 2000 from the club history books. PSG made the worst possible start as they conceded a first-minute goal to PSG youth product Moussa Dembélé, the first goal Paris had conceded in this season's competition and their quickest concession in Champions League history. Olivier Ntcham pulled a corner back to fellow French Under-21 international Dembélé, whose shot beat Alphonse Areola despite the goalkeeper getting a hand to it. PSG gave the ball away plenty in the opening 20 minutes but - as almost always this season - their formidable attacking talent saw them fine. Nine minutes in Adrien Rabiot surged onto a poor Scott Brown pass and set up Neymar inside the box. The Brazilian did the rest, tucking a low shot into the 11/24/2017 Ligue de Football Professionnel - 2017/2018 - Ligue1.com 6

corner beyond Craig Gordon. Dembélé and Ntcham had half-chances before Neymar's sumptuous second, again finished left-footed into the same corner after a sublime one-two with Marco Verratti. Edinson Cavani got in on the act before the half-hour as Neymar shouldered a Dani Alves cross the Uruguayan's way and the centre-forward slammed home his 150th goal in PSG colours. Kylian Mbappé ensured all of the MCN were on the scoresheet for the fifth time in their nine starts together as the former Monaco man's powerful shot went in despite Gordon getting plenty on it. Celtic were out classed and the hosts were rampant. It looked as though PSG had eased up in the second half ahead of the Ligue 1 Conforama leaders' top-of-the table trip to champions Monaco on Sunday. But then came a flurry of goals, three of them in five minutes between the 75th and 80th minutes. Verratti netted PSG's fifth, to match the five they'd scored in Glasgow in their opener, a crisp right-footed shot into the corner from the edge of the box. A Cavani volley from a great Layvin Kurzawa cross moved him on to 151 for Paris, now just five shy of Zlatan Ibrahimovic's club record. PSG scored some screamers, arguably none better than the Dani Alves goal that followed swiftly on from cavani's as with no backlift the Brazilian right back hit the back of the net from range. As Bayern Munich won at Anderlecht PSG haven't yet secured top spot in the group. To do that they'll need to avoid losing by more than the 3-0 they inflicted on Bayern when they go to Bavaria on December 5. THE PLAYER: Neymar Neymar has scored in all five Champions League games for PSG this season and this was the Brazilian's first double. The world's most expensive player was in impish mood and delighted the crowd with a series of tricks and his link-up with Cavani and Mbappé. THE STAT: 24 Verratti's goal meant PSG established a new record for the number of goals scored in the Champions League group phase, eclipsing the 21 plundered by Borussia Dortmund last season. PSG now have 24 goals with one match still to play. PSG can still improve, says Emery Paris Saint-Germain coach Unai Emery insisted his side can get better yet after they came from behind to score seven against Celtic on Wednesday and claim their record UEFA Champions League win. Wednesday, November 22 2017 UEFA Champions League, Matchday 5 - Group B Parc des Princes Paris Saint-Germain 7-1 Celtic FC Unai Emery (Paris Saint-Germain coach): "We are happy, but we need to be humble enough to acknowledge that we can improve some of the little details. We will analyse the game to see what we can improve for the next match. But overall it was a complete performance from the team, even though it would have been better without conceding the goal. The objective is to finish first in the group and we are not there yet. We still have to play against Bayern and we have the 3-0 advantage (from their last meeting) but it will be a huge match and a very difficult one. Bayern are among the sides who could potentially win the Champions League. Sunday, away at Monaco - a side who have all our respect - will be a good test too. We will treat our other league matches with respect too but Bayern is the big match. Neymar? He is extraordinary. We want him to be on the pitch and he is happy out there. He enjoys himself and that means his team-mates and the supporters do too. There were a few matches where he stopped playing for different reasons but when he is on form physically and his mentality is right, he can play." Brendan Rodgers (Celtic manager): "In a strange way there were lots of good moments for us. We had a great start, with good intent, got the goal, and you could see the belief in how we were working and playing. We had real good focus and quality, and then we give the ball away in midfield and that gives them the chance to get the goal. It's the spell after that we are most disappointed with. There are lessons for us - we can keep the ball a bit 11/24/2017 Ligue de Football Professionnel - 2017/2018 - Ligue1.com 7

better, and secondly you've got to defend better, but you also have to admire the sheer quality of Paris Saint-Germain. They must have had 11 shots and seven go in, and with big quality. It's a sore one, but I'm certainly not anywhere as disappointed as I was against Barcelona, funnily enough (a 7-0 defeat last season). Your professional pride is hurt because you lose seven goals and you're not so happy. But it's dovetailed with admiration for a side who I'd be very surprised if they don't make the final." Leipzig end Monaco's European dreams AS Monaco crashed out of Europe, conceding four first-half goals to RB Leipzig as the Ligue 1 Conforama champions were beaten 4-1 in Tuesday's UEFA Champions League group-stage encounter. Tuesday, 21 November 2017 UEFA Champions League, Matchday 5 - Group G Stade Louis II, Monaco AS Monaco 1-4 RB Leipzig THE MATCH Leonardo Jardim's men had been thrown a lifeline by Porto's draw with Besiktas earlier in the day, that took the Turkish side out of the Group G equation, but left Monaco knowing victory in their two remaining group games would see them into the Last 16. However, last season's semi-finalists soon gave themselves even more work to do. Lukas Klosterman and Kevin Kampl teamed up before releasing Marcel Sabitzer down the right - the Austria international's cross was turned past Danijel Subasic by Jemerson, who had been attempting to clear at the near post (6'). With the Stade Louis II far from full, the sizeable travelling support provided most of the noise, and very quickly they were given an additional reason to celebrate. Jemerson's attempted pass out from the back was intercepted by Kampl, whose forward ball allowed Timo Werner to motor away from Kamil Glik before firing past Subasic (9') for his ninth competitive strike of the season. Monaco's response came in the form of a Keita Baldé shot well saved by Peter Gulasci (13') before the Hungarian goalkeeper had to charge from his goal to take the ball off the toe of Radamel Falcao (15'). The Colombia international forward played a central role to the next change in the scoreline, but unusually, it was as the culprit whose challenge on Willi Orban at an Emil Forsberg corner led to Werner netting emphatically from the spot (31'). The fact that that was the young Germany international forward's third goal in the competition - as many as the whole Monaco team had scored at that time - told its own story. Werner might have had a hat-trick before the break, but fired over when well placed (39') and when Falcao headed in Rony Lopes' free-kick two minutes before the break, Leonardo Jardim must have felt he would have something to work on at half-time. Naby Keita's goal seconds before the interval surely changed the Portuguese coach's mind (45'). With the game all but up after just 45 minutes, the second half was always destined to be much quieter than the first. Only Leipzig seriously threatened with Bruma flashing a shot just wide nine minutes from time as Monaco, who are now destined to finish bottom of their group, saw their European adventure ended in miserable fashion. THE PLAYER: Radamel Falcao On a desperately disappointing night for the hosts, their captain was a rare shining light. Unfortunately, his efforts were never going to be enough on their own. THE STAT: 20 It was the first time in more than 20 years - since 17 September 1997 and a 3-0 defeat to Sporting Clube de Portugal - that Monaco had conceded two goals in the opening ten minutes of a UEFA Champions League game. 11/24/2017 Ligue de Football Professionnel - 2017/2018 - Ligue1.com 8

Bleak mood in Monaco camp after exit Chastened Monaco faced up to their European exit as coach Leonardo Jardim admitted his team weren't up to Champions League level and Andrea Raggi proffered an apology to the Monégasque supporters. Tuesday, November 21, 2017 UEFA Champions League, Matchday 5 - Group G Stade Louis II, Monaco AS Monaco 1-4 RB Leipzig Leonardo Jardim (AS Monaco coach): "We paid heavily for our mistakes and we weren't able to stay at the level needed for this competition. For next year we need to be stronger. We gave two goals to our opponents and it's hard to come back from that. Our opponents had luck on their side of course as they had three shots on target and scored four goals. Football is cyclical and we need to respect the cycles. Maybe as our players develop and as our club develops we'll be better prepared for next season's competition." Kamil Glik (AS Monaco defender): "It was decided in the first half. We made individual mistakes. That's why we've been knocked out. It's not just because players left in the close season, even if that explains a lot of it because we lost five starters. We can't look for excuses and now we have to focus on the league to ensure that we're back in the UEFA Champions League next season." Andrea Raggi (AS Monaco defender): "We were catastrophic in the first half. I've been here a long time and that's the first time we've played like that. I'd like to ask forgiveness from the supporters. Football is like that and sometimes things can't be explained. We came into the match full of desire to win it because we knew Porto had drawn. We still had a big chance of qualifying. Sometimes things don't go well in football and that was the case tonight. We need to stay united in order to get through these troubled times." Ralph Hasenhüttl (RB Leipzig coach): "If you give Timo Werner minutes then he normally rewards you with goals. Losing Marcel Sabitzer to a long-term injury is the biggest blow of the night. It could be that we get knocked out despite picking up 10 points which would be a bitter pill to swallow. We don't have our fate in our hands. All we can do is try and win our last game. If we do that then we've given a great account of ourselves in our first UEFA Champions League appearance." 11/24/2017 Ligue de Football Professionnel - 2017/2018 - Ligue1.com 9

EUROPA LEAGUE Lyon and Nice through as Marseille salvage draw Olympique Lyonnais and OGC Nice clinched their places in the Europa League knockout rounds on Thursday while a late own goal allowed 10-man Olympique de Marseille to grab a draw away to Konyaspor. Thursday, November 23, 2017 UEFA Europa League, Matchday 5, Group E Olympique Lyonnais 4-0 Apollon Limassol FC Lyon needed just a point at home to the Cypriot side to clinch their place in the knockout rounds but they took all three, never looking back after Mouctar Diakhaby had profited from a mix-up between Spanish defender Héctor Yuste and Apollon goalkeeper Bruno Vale to poke home from close range (29'). Shortly after the home side doubled their lead, Memphis Depay leading a counter-attack down the left before holding the ball up for skipper Nabil Fekir - back after serving a domestic suspension - to control and volley home (32'). Fekir's 13th goal of the season all told left Apollon with a mountain to climb. They did rally in the second half, and Anthony Lopes had to make a fine save low down to his right to keep out Emilio Zelaya's header. OL then went on to wrap up the win when Houssem Aouar's floated ball into the middle was headed in by Mariano Díaz (67') for the third goal, before substitute Myziane Maolida completed the scoring in the 90th minute, rolling home at the second attempt after Vale had blocked his initial effort. Lyon - who will host this season's final at the Groupama Stadium - now go to Italy to face Atalanta in their final Group E game next month with both teams through but with top spot still to be decided. Group I Konyaspor 1-1 Olympique de Marseille Marseille travelled to Turkey with their fate in their own hands, knowing a win at the Konya Büyüksehir Belediye Stadyumu would take them through from Group I, provided Salzburg did not slip up at home to Vitória SC. Salzburg won 3-0, clinching qualification in the process, but Rudi Garcia's side could not get the three points. They did salvage a precious draw, however, thanks to a soft own goal scored in the third minute of added time. Home goalkeeper Serkan Kirintili was at fault as substitute Clinton Njie poked the ball past him from a tight angle. Wilfried Moke helped it into his own net to keep OM's fate in their own hands. Before that they looked to be headed for a third 1-0 defeat in as many away outings in the group. In a game of few chances on a cold night in Central Anatolia, Florian Thauvin had come closest to scoring for OM as his effort from point-blank range was blocked by the goalkeeper just after the hour mark. And Konyaspor were then awarded a penalty for a foul by Jordan Amavi on French-born midfielder Mehdi Bourabia in the box. Amavi was sent off before Slovenian defender Nejc Skubic netted the resulting spot-kick (82'), but their inability to hold on could cost them dear. Marseille now need just a draw at home to Salzburg next time out to guarantee progress. Group K 11/24/2017 Ligue de Football Professionnel - 2017/2018 - Ligue1.com 10

OGC Nice 3-1 SV Zulte Waregem Mario Balotelli scored twice to set Nice on their way to the victory against Zulte Waregem that allowed them to qualify for the last 32 with a game to spare in Group K. Balotelli started up front alongside Alassane Pléa and the Italian opened the scoring from the penalty spot, netting from 12 yards after he had been fouled in the box by visiting 'keeper Louis Bostyn (5'). He was on target again just after the half-hour mark, arriving inside the six-yard box to finish off a lovely move involving Jean Michaël Seri and Pléa (31'). A point could have kept the Belgian Cup winners alive and they were given hope when the Danish defender Brian Hamalainen scored with a rocket of a left-foot free-kick nine minutes from the end. However, a fine individual effort from Adrien Tameze in the 86th minute wrapped up the win for Lucien Favre's side. They join Lazio in going through, while Zulte are eliminated along with Vitesse Arnhem. Garcia: 'Miracles don't happen by accident' Marseille coach Rudi Garcia praised his side's belief after a late goal saw them maintain their chances of knock-out round qualification; Lyon boss Bruno Genesio demanded more from his side despite a big win. Thursday, November 23, 2017 UEFA Europa League, matchday 5 Group I Konyaspor 1-1 Olympique de Marseille Rudi Garcia (Olympique de Marseille coach): "Miracles don't happen by accident. As was the case in the last match, the team believed right to the end, despite being a man down. The substitutes rose to the occasion. We once again worked as a team, even if we have a lot of things to review. In the space of a few seconds we went from a very difficult situation to one in which we still hold our fate in our own hands. We're still in it. Even though we can't top the group, we can qualify. We have to beat Salzburg. We played some good football but, as was the case in Bordeaux, we were once again lacking in terms of our finishing." Group E Olympique Lyonnais 4-0 Apollon Limassol FC Bruno Genesio (Olympique Lyonnais coach): "Despite the scoreline, we need to do much better. We achieved the objective of qualifying, and we scored four goals, but I think that we need to hold ourselves to higher standards, as PSG did on Wednesday [in their 7-1 win over Celtic in the UEFA Champions League]. We need to be able to score more goals and to be more consistent over the course of an entire match. [On captain Nabil Fekir, back from suspension] When you have a player like Nabil, it's always better to have him on the field than not. He's a player who can make the difference. He is lightning quick and decisive and he can score or set up others to score. He's a huge plus, but we have to be able to get the job done even when our best players are missing." Group K OGC Nice 3-1 SV Zulte Waregem Lucien Favre (OGC Nice coach): "It's good that we have qualified. It's something that hasn't happened for a long time for Nice, and it's fully deserved after the matches against Zulte and Vitesse. We'll use the final group stage match to give some time to players who haven?t had much, or lads from the reserve team. But it was a very, very tough match. Qualifying is a big relief for everyone. But there are still some big teams in the competition, like Milan and Arsenal. Nice are in that group of 32 teams. We need time to reach the same level we enjoyed last season. But we'll improve bit by bit." 11/24/2017 Ligue de Football Professionnel - 2017/2018 - Ligue1.com 11