Ligue 1 – Tops et Flops de la 2e journée : Neymar étincelant, coup de canon, but gag et pelouses indignes

TOPS

• Neymar, flamboyant month of August

• Lafont-Schmeichel, the last XXL ramparts

• Clermont reinvigorated by its new recruits

Led 2-0 by Reims after only half an hour of play, Clermont seemed to be heading straight for a second loss in a row this season. But in the second half, the troop of Pascal Gastien revolted and was carried by its newcomers. Enlisted to succeed Mohamed Bayo, Komnen Andric first caused the expulsion of Emmanuel Agbadou, before offering himself a double to allow his team to pick up. It was then Muhammed Cham, on loan to Lustenau (Austrian D2 and moved up to D1) last season, and Jérémie Bela, who arrived from Birmingham, who forced the decision in favor of CF63, ultimately winner in the Marne (2-4 ).

Lees-Melou, resounding comeback

Pierre Lees-Melou said goodbye to Ligue 1 in May 2021, with the Nice jersey on his back and the captain’s armband hanging on his forearm. After discovering the Premier League on the Norwich side, the midfielder from Langon returned to France this summer. He put his suitcases in Brest, discreetly. And he took advantage of the reception of OM, Sunday evening, to remember the good memories of the followers of the championship. The former Dijonnais equalized with an overpowering right half-volley from outside the area, rewarding the efforts of his new teammates. A cannon shot as the best goal of the weekend.

FLOPS

• Rennes, a gag goal and a new hitch

The Stade Rennais season had already experienced a serious cold snap during the defeat conceded against Lorient at home (0-1). This weekend, in the Principality, Bruno Genesio’s men were only able to bring back one point against Monaco, yet reduced to 10 from the first quarter of an hour of play. Long jostled despite their numerical superiority, the Bretons had did the hardest part by opening the scoring through Gaëtan Laborde (59th).

But when they had regained control of the game, the teammates of Dogan Alemdar, who entered the break in place of an injured Steve Mandanda, saw the Turkish goalkeeper make an irreparable error thirteen minutes later. Attempting a clean restart from his box, he was surprised by Breel Embolo, who sprung into his feet to push the ball into the back of the net. A bad joke that prevents Rennes from taking off.

• ESTAC and Irles already under pressure

Arrived on the bench of Troyes in January, Bruno Irles lived six delicate first months, between tensions with certain players and mistrust of part of the public. The former coach however managed to guide the Aube club towards maintenance, obtaining a logical reprieve. But until when ? While the summer preparation was not the most convincing and recruits are still waiting, ESTAC started its season on the wrong foot, conceding two defeats in a row.

On Sunday, the partners of Adil Rami – replacing at the start – could however take advantage of the reception of the promoted Toulouse player to gain confidence. But their collective performance was very poor and that made the business of a much more enterprising TFC (0-3). It was enough to encourage supporters to claim, in a noisy way, the departure of Irles. And it was only the first game of the season at home…

• From Lorient to Ajaccio, lawns not up to standard

Back in the top flight, AC Ajaccio did indeed have the right, for its part, to host Lens this Sunday. The meadow of the François-Coty stadium was however in poor condition, far from resembling an English billiard table. In the end, no wonder it was the scene of the weekend’s only 0-0.