French Football

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Football in France is governed by the French Football Federation (Fédération Française de Football, or FFF). The FFF organises both the men's and women's national football teams.

Domestic competition
The French domestic league system is run by the Ligue de Football Professionnel. Amongst others they run the following leagues:

Professional

• Ligue 1
• Ligue 2
• National (D3) (some professional, some amateur)

Amateur
(includes some reserve teams of professional teams in higher divisions)

• Championnat de France Amateurs
• Championnat de France Amateurs 2
• Regional football

Women's football

• Championnat de France de football féminin

Football in France - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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Ligue 1 (Première division or Division 1 until 2003, now called Ligue 1 Orange) is the top division of French and Monegasque football, one of two divisions making up the LFP, the other being Ligue 2. It has been an all-professional league since its inception in 1932 except for the 1943-44 season, during which the Vichy regime abolished professionalism. Since the end of World War II, the French first division has switched several times between an 18- and a 20- team format, the latter being in force today and having the preference of clubs in spite of a busier schedule for the players.

The 20 Ligue 1 teams play each other twice (home and away) during the season for a 38-match schedule. At the end of the season, the bottom three teams in the division are relegated to Ligue 2. This promotion and relegation format, in place since 1995, is a relative novelty in the French top flight. The traditional format has long been direct relegation of the bottom two teams and a play-off between the third-latest first-division team and the winner of the second-division play-offs.

Currently, the top three teams in Ligue 1 qualify for the Champions League, with the top two proceeding directly to the group phase. The third-placed team enters in the final qualifying round. The fourth-placed team qualifies for the UEFA Cup. The fifth- and sixth-placed teams can also qualify, depending on results in the two domestic cup competitions.

Point allocation follows the international standard with three points for a win, one for a draw, and none for a loss. The three-point rule was adopted in 1994 after a one-time test in the 1988-89 season. From 1973 to 1976, a "bonus" rule rewarded teams scoring three or more goals in a game with one extra point, regardless of outcome, with the objective of encouraging offensive play. The experience was ultimately inconclusive.

Ligue 1 teams standing on equal points are ranked by goal difference (goals scored minus goals conceded) and, if still even, by the number of goals scored. Until 1966, the league used goal average (the ratio of goals scored to goals conceded) instead of goal difference to break ties on points. This system actually favored the defensive over the offensive, as shown by the outcome of the 1961-62 season: Stade de Reims edged Racing Club de Paris for the title by a 0.018 difference in goal average and was crowned champion on equal points in spite of equal goal difference (83-60 vs. 86-63) and fewer goals scored.

Ligue 1 is generally regarded as competently run, with good planning of fixtures, complete and consistently enforced rules, timely resolution of issues, and adequate escalation procedures of judicial disputes to national or international institutions. It has faced three significant corruption scandals in its history (Olympique d'Antibes in 1933, Red Star in the 1950s, and Olympique de Marseille in 1993) and has preserved its reputation every time through swift and appropriately severe punishment of the guilty parties.

Current Teams (2007-2008 )

• Auxerre
• Bordeaux
• Caen
• Le Mans
• Lens
• Lille
• Lorient
• Lyon
• Marseille
• Metz
• Monaco
• Nancy
• Nice
• Paris Saint-Germain
• Rennes
• Saint-Étienne
• Sochaux
• Strasbourg
• Toulouse
• Valenciennes

Relegated to Ligue 2 for 2007-08: Nantes, Sedan, Troyes
Promoted from Ligue 2 for 2007-08: Metz, Caen, RC Strasbourg

Ligue 1 Teams In European Competition

The original European Cup of 1955-56 featured Real Madrid against Stade de Reims-Champagne, finishing in a 4-3 victory for the Spanish side. In 1958-59, Reims and Real Madrid faced off once again, but once again the French side lost, this time by a score of 2-0.

After Stade de Reims-Champagne fell from prominence, Ligue 1 had trouble producing strong sides that could compete with the rest of Europe. However, in the 1974-75 European Cup AS Saint-Étienne defeated European powerhouses such as Rangers F.C., FC Dynamo Kyiv and PSV Eindhoven until they reached the final losing to defending champions Bayern Munich. The following year AS Saint-Étienne advanced to the quarterfinals before losing to eventual champions Liverpool F.C..

AS Saint-Étienne entered a dry spell after a short period of dominance and the 1980's produced no significant French clubs ready to conquer Europe. Finally in 1990-91 Olympique de Marseille, with scoring phenomenon Jean-Pierre Papin, advanced all the way to the final before falling to Red Star Belgrade on penalties.

When the European Cup rebranded to the UEFA Champions League, Olympique de Marseille unleashed havoc on competition. Les Olympiens won Group A and suddenly found themselves in the final against AC Milan. Basile Boli hit home the winning goal in the 44th minute, winning the Champions League for Marseille.

Most recently, the 2003-04 UEFA Champions League saw underdogs AS Monaco FC win their group over Deportivo de La Coruña, PSV Eindhoven and AEK Athens FC to advance to the Round of 16. Monaco did not stop there, triumphing over FC Lokomotiv Moscow, Real Madrid and Chelsea F.C. until they reached the final. F.C. Porto ended the run with a 3-0 victory.

Previous Winners

1932/33 - Olympique Lillois
1933/34 - FC Sète
1934/35 - FC Sochaux-Montbéliard
1935/36 - Racing Club de Paris
1936/37 - Olympique de Marseille
1937/38 - FC Sochaux-Montbéliard
1938/39 - FC Sète
1939 - 1945 - league interrupted due to World War II
1945/46 - Lille OSC
1946/47 - CO Roubaix-Tourcoing
1947/48 - Olympique de Marseille
1948/49 - Stade de Reims
1949/50 - Girondins de Bordeaux
1950/51 - OGC Nice
1951/52 - OGC Nice
1952/53 - Stade de Reims
1953/54 - Lille OSC
1954/55 - Stade de Reims
1955/56 - OGC Nice
1956/57 - AS Saint-Étienne
1957/58 - Stade de Reims
1958/59 - OGC Nice
1959/60 - Stade de Reims
1960/61 - AS Monaco FC
1961/62 - Stade de Reims
1962/63 - AS Monaco FC
1963/64 - AS Saint-Étienne
1964/65 - FC Nantes
1965/66 - FC Nantes
1966/67 - AS Saint-Étienne
1967/68 - AS Saint-Étienne
1968/69 - AS Saint-Étienne
1969/70 - AS Saint-Étienne
1970/71 - Olympique de Marseille
1971/72 - Olympique de Marseille
1972/73 - FC Nantes
1973/74 - AS Saint-Étienne
1974/75 - AS Saint-Étienne
1975/76 - AS Saint-Étienne
1976/77 - FC Nantes
1977/78 - AS Monaco FC
1978/79 - RC Strasbourg
1979/80 - FC Nantes
1980/81 - AS Saint-Étienne
1981/82 - AS Monaco FC
1982/83 - FC Nantes
1983/84 - Girondins de Bordeaux
1984/85 - Girondins de Bordeaux
1985/86 - Paris Saint-Germain FC
1986/87 - Girondins de Bordeaux
1987/88 - AS Monaco FC
1988/89 - Olympique de Marseille
1989/90 - Olympique de Marseille
1990/91 - Olympique de Marseille
1991/92 - Olympique de Marseille
1992/93 - no winner
1993/94 - Paris Saint-Germain FC
1994/95 - FC Nantes
1995/96 - AJ Auxerre
1996/97 - AS Monaco FC
1997/98 - RC Lens
1998/99 - Girondins de Bordeaux
1999/00 - AS Monaco FC
2000/01 - FC Nantes
2001/02 - Olympique Lyonnais
2002/03 - Olympique Lyonnais
2003/04 - Olympique Lyonnais
2004/05 - Olympique Lyonnais
2005/06 - Olympique Lyonnais
2006/07 - Olympique Lyonnais
2007/08 - Olympique Lyonnais

Ligue 1 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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The new Ligue 1 season begins with high expectations all round. All eyes are on defending champions Lyon, although Marseille are in with a great chance of kicking off the season with a win. Matchday 1 awaits...

Ligue 1 begins anew this weekend as Lyon look to break their own record of consecutive title wins. They've managed six on the trot so far - but the likes of Marseille, PSG and Bordeaux may feel they can prevent a seventh.

And it's Marseille that kick off the new season with the early Saturday clash against Strasbourg.

L'OM, traveling essentially the length of the country to raise the Ligue 1 curtain, may well see this as their most realistic chance in recent years to end the Lyon hegemony.

The Southern side may have finished second last year but, with Lyon looking to progress in Europe and a new air of confidence about the Stade Velodrome, they'll see a winning start as a must to begin that challenge.

Strasbourg, for their part, won promotion by a single point last season and could find themselves up against it.

Lyon close the weekend's action as they welcome Auxerre in the late Sunday game.

Les Gones have seen plenty of comings and goings over the summer and, while they've lost plenty of genius, particularly on the left flank, new boss Alain Perrin feels his squad is prepared for the new campaign.

The Lyonnais side actually begun their competitive season last week, beating Sochaux 2-1 in the Trophy of Champions, contested by the League and Cup winners of the past season.

Now, they'll start the real business of the league, complete with new signings Kader Keita and Fabio Grosso, but without long-term injured 'keeper Gregory Coupet.

While Les Gones have started the season off with a win for each of the past three seasons, AJ Auxerre could fancy their chances.

The eastern side have no shortage of squad changes themselves but are hoping to best last season's 8th place finish, without the distractions of European football.

Between these two table-topping fixtures are a wealth of interesting ties. Bordeaux were one of many underachieving sides last season, finishing 6th and thus missing out on lucrative Champions League football.

New coach Laurent Blanc presided over a difficult start to pre-season but, since then, has managed to land the likes of Alou Diarra, with vast improvement in morale.

The Girondins will face Lens, who also have a new boss... well, new to them. Guy Roux, who spent decades with AJ Auxerre, returned to the French game this summer to take charge of the Sang-et-Or.

They are another who finished 5th last season, and recently qualified from the Intertoto Cup. They're always there or thereabouts at the summit and may hope for more of the same - and the chance to bloody Bordeaux noses.

Caen and Nice square off in what could be a dress rehearsal for a bitter relegation struggle. "Malherbe", though, have something to prove: they've improved their squad nicely over the summer and will hope to consolidate.

Le Gym, on the other hand, lost David Bellion to Bordeaux but have tried to strengthen cannily. Nonetheless, they finished 16th last season and could be up against it once again.

Lille endured a vastly disappointing season last time around and have now sold some of their top talent over the summer. However, the squad is reputedly in high spirits for the visit of Lorient, who have made no shortage of movements themselves.

But, Merlus' coach Christian Gourcuff has been around this block many times and will provide a calming influence for his squad.

Monaco have also been underachieving, but will face St. Etienne in what promises to be an exciting clash that could signal better days for both sides.

The Principality side have a new boss in Ricardo Gomes, who will seek to keep the side afloat after losing Toure and Givet over the summer.

The Greens have also seen change; as such, this clash could be as closely-fought as the two league fixtures between the sides last season - that campaign saw one away win apiece.

Paris Saint-Germain face Sochaux in what could be the most intriguing match of the day. Paul Le Guen's PSG recovered adamantly last season to avoid relegation but still finished in the lower reaches; they simply must - and should - do better this time.

Les Lionceaux, meanwhile, had a great season, with European footbal ahead after that Coupe de France win. They enjoyed a decent away record last season and may fancy their chances.

Rennes, last season's 4th placed finishers, will certainly hope to get off to a winning start against Nancy. The visitors have made stability the watchword, making fewer transfers than most of their counterparts, and may hunker down in the hope of another mid-table finish.

The hosts, meanwhile, need to get off to a good start after losing more than a couple of first-teamers during the window. Usually they find reserves of strength somewhere, with Pierre Dreossi making his connection with the club count.

Valenciennes evaded relegation by 4 points last time around and it could be more backs-to-the-wall stuff as high-flying Toulouse coming calling.

Le Tef managed to attain Champions League qualification football by the narrowest of margins last season and are raring to go for the new campaign - a good win is vital to keep the confidence up.

The first Sunday match - an appetiser for the Lyon game - is an interesting-looking one between Le Mans and Metz. The latter, newly-promoted after lifting the Ligue 2 trophy last season, have a real point to prove as they return to the top flight.

Le Muc are no strangers to that scenario, having managed a respectable mid table finish last season following their own promotion.

However, they've lost quite a few men over the summer and will need to be at their best to beat a team that sees the only way as being up.

With so many squads chopped and changed, this will be a real litmus test for most sides. Some look stronger than last season, others weaker. But for all, there is so much to play for.

Goal.com - France - Ligue 1 Weekend Preview: Gearing Up To Usurp Lyon

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Marseille clearly missed Samir Nasri as they couldn't break the deadlock against a Strasbourg side that was well worth a share of the points...

Strasbourg 0 - 0 Marseille

Marseille laboured to a 0-0 draw with a plucky Strasbourg side at the Stade de la Meinau.

The visitors hoped to get off to a winning start to take the initiative from Lyon, who kick off tomorrow, but their task was made difficult from the outset due to the injury of Samir Nasri.

Racing, perhaps emboldened by this news, took the game to their opponents. They were quick out of the blocks, winning a series of corners early on and giving Carrasso a real wake up call.

However, after the quarter hour mark, debutant Zenden almost gave Marseille the lead. The Dutchman's long-range strike brought out the best in strong-handed Cassard.

Strasbourg quickly regained composure and were winning all the midfield battles. Indeed, the newly-promoted side hit their apex around the half hour mark, Fanchone in particular looking good as the tactically-aware Racing put Marseille into a daze.

But the final third presented problems for Racing. They simply could not find the net, or on many occasions even test Carrasso, despite their initiative.

L'OM were able to recover just before half time, though, taking back some of the midfield ground, with Ziani almost setting up Cisse for the opener. But, Strasbourg, after a good first half, went in 0-0 with their noses in front.

Shortly after the interval, the passive Niang came off for Valbuena as Marseille looked to stamp their authority on the match. Without Nasri, though, they looked impotent at times.

Strasbourg, though, were improving. Fanchone, himself substituted soon after, was at the centre of an impressive move also involving Johansen, but his header was lacking.

Marseille, knowing that time was running out, began to resort to the long ball, but Racing were the equal of their attempts.

But with seven minutes to go they could have snatched it, Cisse showing great positioning to try his luck from close range, sadly only to see his shot hit the side netting.

Racing may have had the last laugh when substitute Gameiro was given his side's last chance of the game, but his distant effort failed to trouble Carrasso.

0-0 it finished. Strasbourg will curse their nervous finishing in the first half, but were well deserving of a point, while Marseille must wonder if they are really title contenders without Samir Nasri.

Strasbourg: Cassard, Dos Santos, Paisley, Bellaid, Johansen, Lacour, Cohade, Rodrigo, Fanchone (Gameiro 64), Moulounggui (Mathlouthi 79), Renteria
Bookings: Rodrigo 11, Renteria 89

Marseille: Carrasso, Beye, Rodriguez, Taiwo, Givet, Zenden (Arrache 78 ), Ziani, Cheyrou (M'Bami 76), Cana, Cisse, Niang (Valbuena 50)
Bookings: Cana 26, Cisse 35, Rodriguez 70, Zenden 74

Goal.com - France - Ligue 1 Report: Impressive Strasbourg Hold Marseille In Opener

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Valenciennes top the league on goal difference after an eventful first day of football in France's premier league. Here's the state of play after eight matches, ten goals, and one red card...

Strasbourg, newly promoted to Ligue 1, picked up a home point with a 0-0 draw against a rather dispirited Marseille side in the early kick-off game on Matchday 1.

Hours later, it was Valenciennes who scored the first goal of the new campaign as they took the lead early on agaisnt Toulouse.

Dieuze quickly pulled one back for TEF before the rouge-et-blanc roared back in the lead with Audel's second goal. The striker grabbed his hat-trick mid way through the second half as the relegation candidates crushed the Champions League entrants.

Bordeaux took a first half lead against Guy Roux's Lens at the Chaban-Delmas, Bellion's sweet finish rounding off a beautiful team move.

Both teams, their trainers pacing nervously on the sidelines, continued to fight for 90 minutes, and the Sang-et-Or could well have equalised through Monterrubio late on.

But as tempers flared, the match ended 1-0 to the home team, the visitors' Sidi Keita being sent off as he slid in two-footed on Marange.

Rennes actually started the better side as they welcomed Nancy, but it was the Lorraine club that had its shooting boots on.

The visitors took a 2-0 lead in to the dressing room after two strikes in four minutes late on in the first half. With Breton self-belief clearly sapping as the game went on, the home support watched as their team faded away, deservedly taking nothing from the game.

Caen and Nice are both tipped to struggle this season, but it was the home team that deservedly grabbed a win on the opening day.

'Malherbe' looked the part early on but failed to take their chances, allowing the Cote d'Azur side back into proceedings as the first half wore on.

Habib Bamogo impressed for the visitors, just as Plante in the Caen goal kept things safe for the home side. But substitute Lilian Compan popped up ten minutes from full time to keep the points in Normandy.

Lille fought out a rather dull and uninspiring game with Lorient as the home side clearly missed their creativity of last season's star players.

The visitors held their own but found themselves mostly restricted to the long ball in a match that won't go down as a classic.

Monaco snatched a late, late first half goal through recently-capped Frederic Piquionne to take the lead against Saint Etienne.

But the Greens, who immediately made two changes, roared into life, Feindouno responding with a penalty just minutes into the second half after Plasil fouled Landrin.
The match ended 1-1 with both teams having several chances to win in what was a great advert for the French league.

Finally, a youthful Paris Saint-Germain couldn't quite live up to the pre-season hype as they welcomed a strong Sochaux side to the capital. Les Lionceaux were superior in the first half, with only Pauleta (pictured) really looking the part for the Parisiens.

However, as the game went on, PSG showed their worth, Diane hitting the post during the latter 45 as PSG found themselves denied by the woodwork for the second time.

Grax was impressive for the visitors as a parade of chances presented themselves, but ultimately, the match ended goalless thanks to some solid defending for both sides.

In tomorrow's matches, Le Mans welcome Metz before defending champions Lyon square off against Auxerre.

Goal.com - France - Ligue 1: Marseille Stumble, Rennes Crumble, Valenciennes Go Top

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French champions Lyon on Sunday got their title defence off to the ideal start with a 2-0 home win over a timid Auxerre side.

Czech international, and former Aston Villa striker, Milan Baros scored the opener for Lyon, who are hunting a record seventh consecutive title, on the 34th minute after dribbling his way into the box and deftly chipping Auxerre goalkeeper Olivier Sorin.

Karim Benzema doubled the scoreline twenty minutes from time with a left-footed thunderbolt which screamed past Sorin.

Auxerre failed to take advantage of Lyon's frailties in defence which was missing first choice goalkeeper Gregory Coupet and central defender Sebastien Squillaci.

Summer signing Kader Keita and France international Sidney Govou looked dangerous on occasions going forward on the flanks but struggled when needed in defence.

Meanwhile, France's Champions League contenders Marseille and Toulouse both failed to fire on Saturday.

Last season's runners-up Marseille were held to a 0-0 draw at newly-promoted Strasbourg while Toulouse, who will face English giants Liverpool in their Champions League qualifier, slumped to a 3-1 defeat at Valenciennces.

Despite having his high-profile summer signings of Gael Givet, Benoit Cheyrou, Boudewijn Zenden, Djibril Cisse and Karim Ziani on the pitch Albert Emon's Marseille side struggled to break down the home team.

Ziani, who was brought from Sochaux to fill the gap left by Franck Ribery's move to Bayern Munich in midfield, was the only new recruit to show glimpses of class.

"To be satisfied with an away draw, why not? But we can't be satisfied with the rhythm of the match," said Emon.

"We didn't win good balls in midfield to feed our strikers and up front there was some poor communication, because we didn't get three or four passes between our strikers."

Toulouse were undone by Valenciennces striker Johan Audel who hit the French season's first hat-trick.

Audel opened the scoring in the sixth minute for Valenciennes, who finished 17th last season, just one place above the relegation zone.

Toulouse levelled through midfielder Nicholas Dieuze, but Audel went on to complete his hat-trick.

Meanwhile, Rennes lost 2-0 to Nancy.

Midfielder Marc-Antoine Fortune silenced the home supporters on the 36th minute with Youssouf Hadji doubling the scoreline just four minutes later.

Rennes, who finished fourth in the 2006-2007 season, will hope their performance levels pick up if they are to mount a serious challenge in the UEFA Cup this season.

Paul le Guen's Paris Saint Germain were dominated throughout their match with French Cup holders Sochaux in an uninspiring 0-0 draw at the Parc des Princes despite striker Pauleta, last season's leading goal scorer, hitting the post on three occasions.

However, it needed goalkeeper Mickael Landreau to put be in top form to keep the visitors at bay for a share of the points.

World cup winning defender Laurent Blanc made his managerial debut with Bordeaux and his side beat veteran coach Guy Roux's Lens 1-0.

Former Manchester United and Nice player David Bellion's 30th-minute goal went unanswered as Blanc's Bordeaux, who will compete in this season's UEFA Cup, got their campaign off to an ideal start.

AFP News

[Aladino]

Hey great thread. I watched the lyon game last night! Nice game, glad to see Barros scoring again, and Lyon starting off well in their defence against the title.

Oh, Glad to see that Grosso had a good stable game, and he threated once or twice at goal

[skeeta]

I still can't believe that Roux is actually managing a team other than Auxerre.

[Sven]

I think people know this is worst league in euope atm, certainly the most boring.

Last weekend, only 13 goals were scored..... 13 in 10 matches that's joint lowest scoring on a match day since world war 2.

there were 6 draws.

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Toulouse 1-0 Lyon

Toulouse warmed up for an important Champions League qualifier against Liverpool by stunning Ligue 1 favourites and defending champions Lyon, who had Kim Kallstrom sent off in the first half.

An 89th minute strike from Swedish international Johan Elmander did the business for Toulouse, taking them to the top of the Ligue 1 table, and sending domestic giants Lyon to their first defeat of the season.

However, it was a game that turned on it's head much earlier - when Kim Kallstrom was sent off in the 34th minute for throwing an elbow.

Lyon actually looked better, even if only just, until disaster struck just after the half-hour mark. Kallstrom elbowed Toulouse skipper Nicolas Dieuze, and the referee was quick to bring out the red card.

Replays confirmed the incident, albeit unintentional, but the decision had been made.

Toulouse proceeded to use the man advantage cleverly, and moved the ball around well, tiring the Lyon players.

It was really one way traffic as Dieuze and Cameroonian midfielder Achille Emana ran the show, with the likes of Toulalan and Juninho pinned back in their own half and defending as if their lives depended on it.

The French champions hung on bravely, until they were undone by a clever strike from Elmander with a minute remaining on the clock.

Forward Bryan Bergougnoux began the move on the left, the superb Emana teed it up, and Elmander finished with a cool chip from 18 yards out to seal the win just as the match was heading into injury time.

Despite being a man up, Toulouse deserve plenty of credit for playing some good football against one of the better sides in Europe, let alone France. A midweek test against Liverpool awaits.

Toulouse: Douchez - Ebondo, Cetto, Ilunga, Mathieu - Sissoko (Sirieix), Dieuze, Emana - Gignac (Cesar), Elmander, Bergougnoux (Battles)

Lyon: Vercoutre, Reveillere, Bodmer, Cris (Squillaci), Grosso - Toulalan, Kallstrom, Juninho - Govou (Belhadj), Benzema, Keita (Baros)

Goal.com - France - Ligue 1 Report: Toulouse Beat Ten Men Lyon, Send Liverpool Warning

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It's all change in Ligue 1 as a day of surprises draws to a close. Le Mans and Nancy top the table after picking up valuable wins, but Bordeaux run them close after their second victory in a row...

Bordeaux moved joint top of Ligue 1 on Saturday after a well-deserved 2-0 win at luckless Auxerre.

The home side could scarcely have asked for a tougher start to the campaign, facing the Girondins just one week after losing to champions Lyon.

And their fears were realised as Toifilou Mailouda's double penalty miss put paid to any immediate hopes of an AJA revival.

The forward skied his first spot kick after just five minutes, and went on to rue his missed opportunity as Auxerre spurned a series of further chances.

Things went from bad to worse as Bordeaux took a lead on the stroke of half time, Wendel (pictured) punished Auxerre's wastefulness with a brilliant left-footed strike from 18 yards.

Just minutes into the restart, Bordeaux doubled their lead, Wendel taking advantage of a defensive error to slam home from close range.

Auxerre still had time to get back into the match when they were awarded a second penalty. Coach Fernandez indicated that Kahlenberg was to take the spot-kick, but Mailouda insisted on a chance to repent. Inevitably, his effort smacked off the post and ran clear.

Bordeaux were only prevented from topping the table on goal difference; instead, Le Mans lead the pack after their excellent 3-1 away win at Sochaux.

Ligue 1's second hat trick of the season so far fell to De Melo, whose three goals showed a remarkable comeback for the visitors after Les Lionceaux took an ill-deserved lead through Birsa.

This result is all the more impressive for the predictions that Le Mans would struggle at the other end of the table.

Confounding the critics in equal measure are Nancy, whose rip-roaring start and confident defending gave them two wins out of two.

The victims were Caen, who admirably tried to fight back after Kim's wild effort dispatched Guemo's cross home after just seven minutes. For all their efforts, the northerners couldn't destroy the fortifications of Lorraine.

Last week, Valenciennes raced to a surprise lead in the table after Johan Audel's hat-trick put paid to Toulose. This week, Audel managed his fourth goal of the season, but his side slumped to a 3-1 defeat at Saint-Etienne.

The Greens were never in any danger of losing after Gomis opened the scoring, the Senegalese forward getting on the end of Payet's sublime through ball.

Feindouno added a second midway through the latter half of the game, with his brace coming just after Audel's fruitless consolation.

Lorient enjoyed their second undefeated match but, unlike last week, managed a win rather than a turgid draw.

Algerian striker Rafik Saifi compounded Monaco's recent woes with a first half double, with Les Merlus more than deserving their lead.

Jan Koller, reportedly on the way out of the principality side, came on to try to rejuvenate the visiting attack, but instead it was Serge Gapke who pulled a goal back.

Getting on the end of Plasil's long ball, the young midfielder powered beautifully past two defenders before leaving 'keeper Audard helpless.

Marseille welcomed Samir Nasri back to the fold after injury, but not even the return of the talismanic playmaker could break the deadlock against Rennes.

L'OM dominated the first period but failed to make their advantage count; to their credit, the visitors never gave up and had chances throughout the game, but it was the profligacy of the Marseille forwards that really characterised this game.

The home crowd were furious at the result, which sees Marseille goalless and winless in two games, rooted to the lower half of the table.

Strasbourg had taught the Mediterranean side a lesson last week with a confident home draw against OM, but had no such luck away to Nice.

The visitors actually shaded the first half but this eventful game was not to be dominated by either side as the Cote d'Azur club forged a way back into the game.

Racing's chance at an away win decreased dramatically early in the second half as dos Santos saw red for a second bookable offence which few could argue with.

Nice toiled, trying to break their opponents down, and eventually succeeded just five minutes from the end.

Hognon bundled home late in the game, sending the home fans - many of whom were still on their feet after offering substituted Balmont an ovation - into raptures.

And, of course, in what was one of the bigger shock of the day, Toulouse pulled off a last minute win over Lyon to give the champions a rare taste of defeat.

Goal.com - France - Ligue 1 Saturday Wrap: Marseille And Lyon Struggle; Bordeaux Win