Last week saw leaders Montpellier lose at Lyon, leaving the victors with the last unbeaten record in Ligue 1. Big-spending PSG gave Javier Pastore his first league start and the playmaker led his side to their second consecutive victory, while champions Lille downed Marseille in the battle of last season’s top two. Elsewhere, Auxerre’s first win of the season sees four of their players make the WhoScored Ligue 1 Team of the Week, thanks to a 4-1 thumping of Ajaccio. Here’s a look at the stand-out performers:
Dariusz Dudka, Auxerre. WhoScored rating 8.04
The right-back had a stand-out game as Auxerre picked up a valuable three points to move into twelfth place in Ligue 1. Dudka’s influential role in the side is highlighted by the fact he was third-highest for touches (85) and passes (50) for the home side. He also made 8 crosses and played 7 long balls, with a total of 3 key passes bringing him 1 assist.
At the back, his contribution was also key- Dudka had 2 tackles, 3 interceptions and 3 clearances, as he put in a strong defensive shift on his way to a WhoScored.com rating of 8.04.
Chris Mavinga, Rennes. WhoScored rating 7.98
Rennes left-back put in a sensational defensive shift in his side’s 3-2 home win over Caen. Mavinga made an incredible 8 tackles, with the other three members of Rennes back-four managing 4 between them. He also made 3 interceptions and 7 clearances, blocked 1 shot and won 100% of his aerial duels as his performance at the back proved crucial to his side’s narrow win.
In possession, he had 74 touches, (joint-top for the home side) and played 23 passes with a 78%accuracy. He also had 1 cross, 1 through ball and made 2 key passes on his way to a WhoScored.com rating of 7.98.
Kamel Chafni, Auxerre. WhoScored rating 8.66
Chafni was a key creative presence for Auxerre at the weekend. He made 59 passes, more than any player on the pitch, with an 88% accuracy. He also played 4 crosses from his position on the right wing in his side’s 4-2-3-1 and made a total of 4 key passes, joint-top with Alain Troare, from which he earned 1 assist.
Chafni managed 3 shots and found the net with the 1 attempt on target, and he also played his part defensively, managing 4 tackles and 1 interception. For an impressive all-round performance, Chafni was awarded 8.66 by WhoScored.com.
Julien Feret, Rennes. WhoScored rating 8.59
Playing just behind a lone front man in Rennes’ 4-2-3-1, Feret was instrumental in his side’s win. A man of the match performance saw him make 6 key passes, the most of any player, which brought about 1 assist. The playmaker made a total of 40 passes with an 80% accuracy and fired in 9 crosses, making chance after chance for the victorious home side.
Feret’s ability on the ball is highlighted by 4 successful dribbles- again, the highest of any player, and he also managed 3 shots at goal, with 2 on target. He also made 1 tackle and 1 interception on his way to a WhoScored.com rating of 8.59.
Moussa Sow, Lille. WhoScored rating 8.56
Last season’s Ligue 1 top scorer finally got off the mark in the crucial home showdown with Marseille. Sow had drawn a blank in his previous three games but grabbed a brace in the 3-2 victory, including the crucial match-winning penalty in the 75th minute.
Sow’s role as the lone forward in Lille’s 4-3-3 saw him have just 31 touches and make 19 passes over the ninety minutes –the lowest of any player in the home side’s starting XI- but he was deadly when in possession, firing 3 of his side’s 5 shots in a somewhat fortuitous victory. Sow also won 2 aerial duels and made 1 tackles as he picked up a WhoScored.com rating of 8.56.
Dennis Oliech, Auxerre. WhoScored rating 7.94
The lone forward for Auxerre, Oliech failed to find the net in his eighty-six minutes on the pitch, but still put in a significant shift. Oliech was unlucky not to score- he had 4 shots at goal, all on target, and also had 1 successful dribble.
In terms of distribution, he made 19 passes with an 84% accuracy, fired in 5 crosses and despite an impressive 3 key passes, he failed to pick up any assist. Oliech’s stats were strong, however, and as a result the forward was awarded a match rating of 7.94 from WhoScored.com.
