The 2024-25 Ligue 1 McDonald’s Season So Far

The 2024-25 Ligue 1 McDonald's season has reached its halfway point, making it the perfect time to reflect on the standout highlights so far: the best goal, match, transfer, save, unforgettable moment, and tifo.

Best Goal: Matthis Abline

Matthis Abline wasn't afraid of the bright lights in Paris as he made a remarkable solo effort to score for Nantes in their November contest against Paris Saint-Germain. The 21-year-old took the ball on the counter-attack and Willian Pacho was the victim of Albine's fantastic dribbling as the forward had the Ecuadorian turning inside out and then fired the ball past Gianluigi Donnarumma for the impressive goal.

Best Match: Olympique Lyonnais 4-3 RC Strasbourg

Lyon and Strasbourg met in late August, early in the 2024-25 season, and put on a back-and-forth show at Groupama Stadium. Sebastian Nanasi opened the scoring for the visitors to take a 1-0 lead, but in the first half stoppage time Corentin Tolisso leveled the scoring heading into halftime.

It took a span of 10 minutes in the second half for Strasbourg to take a 3-1 lead as Andrey Santos and Emanuel Emegha scored to give the away side a two-goal advantage. OL didn't fold and pulled off a remarkable come from behind with three goals in 11 minutes and Gift Orban scoring a brace to cap off the comeback 4-3 victory.

Best Transfer: Willian Pacho

The saying goes, "defense wins championships," and PSG have found a cornerstone to their defense in Pacho, who arrived this past summer from Eintracht Frankfurt. The 23-year-old didn't need a period of adaptation and has stepped into the starting 11 for Luis Enrique with ease.

Pacho has only missed two matches (against Angers SCO and Toulouse) and has come off the bench once (against Stade Brestois). For the rest of the matches, the center-back has been in the starting 11 and playing 90 minutes for the current Ligue 1 McDonald's leaders. PSG have found a reliable defender to pair alongside Marquinhos and Pacho also made history becoming the club's first Ecuadorian player.

Best Save: Dimitry Bertaud

It's been a challenging season so far for Montpellier Hérault SC, who are currently in a relegation battle. One of the bright spots in this campaign was provided by goalkeeper Dimitry Bertaud in September against AS Monaco at Stade Louis II. The home side had a free kick, so the ball went into the box with Bertaud using his feet to make the first save, then making the second save with his body in rapid succession to deny Monaco a goal.

Best Moment: Franck Haise returns to face RC Lens

Under manager Franck Haise, RC Lens lived an impressive five years with the French tactician nearly winning Ligue 1 McDonald's in 2022-23 as they finished with 84 points while PSG finished with 85. Haise did lead Lens to their third-ever UEFA Champions League berth and had an impressive 2-1 win over Arsenal in that group stage in 2023-24.

This past summer, both parties parted ways, and in September, it marked the first time that Haise returned to Stade Bollaert-Delelis since his departure. The contest ended in a scoreless draw, but it was a moment for Lens supporters to relive those memories that Haise and his teams provided in those five years.

Best Tifo: LOSC Lille celebrates 80th anniversary

LOSC Lille was in celebration mode in November when the club commemorated its 80th anniversary with a 1-0 win over Stade Rennais. Before securing the three points though, Lille supporters revealed a tifo with club legends as their way to honor the players who have come through during these 80 years. 

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