PARIS (AP) — Reims starts the year one point behind defending champions Paris Saint-Germain in what French fans expect to be a close Ligue 1 title race.
PSG won their record-extending 13th title last season with a 19-point lead despite losing just two games. After the title is sealedthe season before that, it was a nine-point difference.
However, with PSG already suffering two defeats and three draws, it promises to be even closer this time around.
Guided by the goal-scoring winger’s talent Florian ThauvinLens open Round 17 in Toulouse on Friday, before PSG host Paris FC in Round 1 on Sunday. intercity derby In the capital since 1990.
major matches
If Reims or PSG fail, the door could open for third-placed Marseille, who host struggling Nantes on Sunday.
Mid-table Monaco host fifth-placed Lyon on Saturday, but are in desperate need of a return to consistency after losing five of their last six league games.
Monaco’s only win in that dire situation was against PSG.
After finishing the 9 consecutive losses After winning the French Cup and then changing managers, it’s time for Nice to start winning in Ligue 1 again.
Nice sit in 13th place ahead of Saturday’s game against Strasbourg.
Tensions are rising At Nice, 64-year-old Claude Puel, who was the manager from 2012 to 2016, has replaced Frank Hayes, who was in decline.
Featured players
Midfielder Pavel Suluk has made a big impression at Lyon since joining on a four-year deal from Czech club Jablonec in the off-season.
Schultz has nine goals in 22 games.
Brazilian striker Endrik also joins from Real Madrid on loan until the end of the season and is hoping to score many goals for Lyon.
Endrik, 19, has barely featured for Xabi Alonso’s Madrid side this season, making just three appearances, but is expected to be included in next year’s World Cup squad in Brazil.
Activity suspended
PSG’s right-back Achraf Hakimi is playing for the hosts Morocco. africa cup of nations. Clubmate Ibrahim Mbaye is playing for Senegal in this tournament. PSG colleagues Matvey Safonov (goalkeeper) and Quentin Njantu (forward) were injured.
Safonov is recovering from illness broken hand Njantu, 18, is nursing a torn thigh and was injured in the penalty shootout win.
However, PFC will be without a capable midfielder. iran kebar — The club’s top scorer with six goals — He plays for Algeria in AFCON.
off the field
Around 40 PSG fans were stopped by police near the landmark Trocadero promenade last Saturday night for allegedly displaying flares and fireworks in a public place without permission.
They did this to celebrate PSG’s successful year in which the club won the championship. champions league For the first time, he won two domestic titles and two domestic titles. intercontinental cup.
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