Ligue 1 Review | All to play for in tightening Champions League race | OneFootball

The Derby de la Côte d’Azur was finely poised ahead of this weekend, with AS Monaco and OGC Nice level on points and goal difference. Far more than bragging rights was on offer, with both clubs desperate to avoid defeat in Ligue 1’s exceedingly tight Champions League race. However, the derby only seemed to grow in importance as Saturday wore on.

It was to be the last of three Ligue 1 fixtures scheduled that day, with each match involving a member of the top four. Olympique de Marseille’s shock defeat away to lowly Stade de Reims and Paris Saint-Germain’s demolition of AS Saint-Étienne meant that by the time the whistle blew in the Stade Louis II to kickstart proceedings, the result of the derby would have ramifications on European positions and Les Parisiens’ impending coronation.

A draw would have been enough to hand PSG a record-extending title, but a stalemate seemed out of the question. Both Monaco and Nice could smell the blood in the water. Roberto De Zerbi’s Marseille had lost for the fourth time in five games, and the chance to leapfrog them into second at the expense of their local rivals was too sweet an opportunity to pass up.

Strasbourg a point off Champions League spots

Momentum seemed to be in Nice’s favour as Mika Biereth saw a penalty saved by Marcin Bułka, while Jérémie Boga put the visitors in the lead with a headed effort before the break. However, it was Monaco who would come out derby winners as goals from Biereth and Breel Embolo cancelled out the first-half strike and left the fluffed penalty a distant memory.

For Monaco, an undefeated run of four games would see the club leap past Marseille into the runners-up position, while Nice, on a run of three without a win, would be left looking over their shoulders at the chasing pack as they cling onto fourth and the remaining Champions League slot (albeit for the qualifying rounds). RC Strasbourg Alsace had already put Les Aiglons under pressure ahead of this game when they defeated Olympique Lyonnais on Friday night.

Liam Rosenior’s young squad have stolen the adoration of many in France. Their blistering and dynamic game is both fun to watch and getting results. Le Racing have not lost in the league since the 30th of November, which has left the club only a point away from Nice with seven games remaining. The upcoming matches against Nice and Monaco look exceptionally interesting.

Lille rise above Strasbourg and Lyon

Strasbourg spent most of the weekend in fifth after leapfrogging Lyon with a 4-2 victory. However, both Lyon and Strasbourg would ultimately slip down the table to sixth and seventh, respectively, following Lille OSC’s Sunday night Derby du Nord victory over RC Lens.

Matias Fernandez-Pardo would score the only goal as he capitalised on an out-of-character error from goalkeeper Matthew Ryan. It was far from a pretty win for Les Dogues, as can be expected when they have the 2nd best defensive record and Lens have the third. Still, what was more important was that the result meant they drew level on points with Nice (but with a worse goal-scoring record).

All of this begins to paint a picture of an exciting home stretch to the Ligue 1 season. The Champions League race is far from settled, with only five points separating Monaco in second from Lyon in fifth. Seven games are left, and it’s clear that any mistake from now until the end of the campaign could be exceptionally costly.

This week’s Ligue 1 talking points

GFFN | Nick Hartland