Ligue 1 Team Of The Week | Matchday 14, 2021/22
GK, Alban Lafont (Nantes) – PSG would have been out of sight by the time Nantes equalised were it not for four superb first half saves from Lafont, one from each of Paris’ front three plus a world class right fist to stop Messi who found himself clean through early on. A second half intervention on a Hakimi cross to prevent a certain Messi goal also stood out.
RB, Hamari Traoré (Rennes) – Now captain, he’s enjoying the best form of his career having seemingly taken his increased responsibility to heart of late. Excellent at both ends in Rennes 2-0 win over Montpellier, it was his bending, pinpoint cross that allowed Terrier to head the opener before notably making a key first half challenge on Gioacchini at the near post.
CB, Tiago Djaló (Lille) – A sweeping long ball assisted David for Lille’s second in the draw at Monaco and he made a crucial hooked goal line clearance just after half time while defending with confidence throughout. He continues to grow in stature.
CB, Christophe Hérelle, (Brest) – His return from long injury issues has, unsurprisingly, coincided with Brest’s improved form in recent games and it was his pivotal last ditch sliding goal line block that halted Frankowski’s shot at 1-0 as Brest mauled Lens 4-0 on Sunday lunchtime.
LB, Adrien Truffert (Rennes) – He’s again putting Birger Meling under real pressure after two goals off the bench before the break and another thunderous display on his flank as Rennes beat MHSC. Heavily involved in the sweeping move for the second, he was again a powerful threat overlapping on the left and should have added to his goal tally.
CM, Lovro Majer (Rennes) – The Croatian is just two Ligue 1 starts into his Rennes career but it looks like SRFC have some player on their hands. After a devastating display against Lyon, he again ran the game as Rennes beat Montpellier in tandem with Tait. His effortless nonchalance in picking passing and dictating play proved too much and he stole in to scissor kick home the second from close range.
CM, Flavien Tait (Rennes) – His understanding with Majer as a twin creative force is developing quickly and they dominated the game here, even before Savanier’s sending off. It was he who instigated the stunning pitch length team move for Rennes second in victory over MHSC, his clever turn and cross the highlight of the move.
AM, Jérémy Le Douaron, (Brest) – Brest’s scouting of Le Douaron has been a key plot line in their recent success. Picked up from third tier Stade Briochin with no major experience in 2020, he’s looked lively and inventive when given the chance and it was his cross that assisted the opener here. Held off Danso to smash home a fourth here as part of a busy display to lead Brest to a shock 4-0 mauling of Lens.
WF, Lionel Messi, (PSG) – Not quite classic Messi, but not far off. Were it not for two stunning Lafont saves he would have had a hat-trick as PSG eventually beat Nantes but he finally won the battle with a silky run and shaped finish late on. His display was reminiscent of those he produced in La Liga on a weekly basis for Barcelona – effortless brilliance.
WF, Amine Gouiri, (Nice) – Galtier’s 4-4-2 system with Dolberg, Gouiri and Delort all used at once, suits him much more than the others – even if he would benefit from playing closer to the goal – and all of Nice’s promising play again went through the young Frenchman in the comeback win over Clermont. It was his chopped volley that equalised before a stunning curling effort won the game late on.
ST, Jonathan David (Lille) – Faded after half time but enjoyed a rollicking first half. Having stroked home the penalty it was his deft control and finish that made it 2-0 as Lille drew with Monaco. He might have created another via a clever flick on the counter or a shaped cross for Weah before the break.