Ligue 1 Update

By Anonymous (not verified), January 12, 2023

BEST OF ROUND 18

Lionel Messi made a triumphant return in Paris Saint-Germain's win against Angers, Marseille beat Troyes to close the gap on Lens and Nice hit Montpellier for six. Check out the action from Round 18 of Ligue 1 Uber Eats here!

PSG ease to Angers win

Lionel Messi scored on his return to Ligue 1 Uber Eats action as Paris Saint-Germain beat Angers 2-0 at the Parc des Princes.

The league leaders got off to the perfect start when Nordi Mukiele played in Hugo Ekitiké to score in his second-consecutive league game (5'). Messi finished off Angers 18-minutes from time when he fired low past Paul Bernardoni to extend PSG's lead at the top to six points.

"I'm pleased with the manner of how the team got back to winning ways," said PSG boss Christophe Galtier who saw his side claim the title of winter champions with the win over Angers.

Lens held at Strasbourg

Lens came from behind to draw 2-2 against Strasbourg at the Stade de la Meinau.

Franck Haise's men took the lead when Alexis Claude-Maurice scored for the second-straight league game (11'). But Strasbourg turned the game on its head with quickfire goals from Sanjin Prcic (13') and Kevin Gameiro (16'). Lens levelled the score when Lois Openda headed his ninth goal of the season as Les Sang et Or lost ground on PSG at the top.

"It was not easy to break down Strasbourg but we created many opportunities," explained Lens coach Franck Haise. "Strasbourg gave everything and had opportunities, even if they were fewer than ours. They did everything to deserve this draw but we should still have found a way through."

Marseille see of Troyes

Marseille continued their excellent run of form with a 2-0 win at Troyes.

Goals from Chancel Mbemba (10') and Jordan Veretout (46') handed Igor Tudor's side a fifth-straight league win and close the gap on Lens to two points, in the race for Champions League qualification.

Monaco snatch late point

An added-time goal header from Wissam Ben Yedder earned Monaco a 2-2 draw at Lorient.

The principality side opened the scoring through Breel Embolo's fine finish (61') but were pegged back in a frantic three-minute spell.

First, Dango Ouattara headed Les Merlus' level (75') before he turned provider for Terem Moffi who notched his 11th goal of the season (77'). But Lorient were unable to hold on and Ben Yedder headed in from close range (90'), to claim his side a point.

"We are post-World Cup, so it can be difficult and occasionally things were missing from our game that we saw more frequently before. Not everyone was at the same athletic level and that's also why I opted for a 3-4-2-1 formation even if we hadn't worked on it in the last two sessions, because we risked running out of intensity and rhythm." Christophe Galtier