Grenoble and Marseille Make Ligue 1 Interesting Again

We told you the omens were good for a more open Ligue 1 title race this season. Lyon can’t have it all their own way forever, and after two games they’re in the rather unfamiliar position of not being the top team in France.

But it’s not Bordeaux either: it’s tiny Grenoble, freshly promoted to the top flight and the only team with a 100% record after two games. They’re top of Ligue 1 today after the above wonder strike from veteran Algerian striker Nassim Akrour.

OK, so it’s only two games, and no need for Lyon to panic just yet as they’re still in third place with a win and a draw. But the team to really keep your eye on is Marseille. After two games OM have already scored eight goals. The first was a 4-4 draw against Rennes, but this weekend they figured out the not conceding part and demolished Auxerre 4-0.

Senegalese striker Mamadou Niang got the first two, before Elliot Grandin and Bolo Zenden made it three then four with these fantastic goals:

First Grandin dribbled between two defenders (and was that a nutmeg I saw?) before gently lifting the ball over the Auxerre keeper:

And then Bolo Zenden and his left foot slammed a free kick into the top right corner:

Obviously you’d be mad to bet on Grenoble winning Ligue 1 (at time of writing they’re the longest shot at 300-1) and Lyon might still be the favourites. But if Ligue 1 keeps serving up goals like the three above then French football fans are in for a treat this season.

Follow more action from Ligue 1 on France Offside.

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Category: French Ligue 1