De Zerbi vs Liam Rosenior, Habib Beye vs Pierre Sage - Stories to Watch this Weekend
It's a royal rumble of managers this week in Ligue 1 McDonald's, as Marseille travel to face Strasbourg and Rennes face Lens, whilst PSG are hoping to get back on track at home to Auxerre.
The Passionate Italian vs The British: Roberto De Zerbi vs Liam Rosenior
Fresh of a Classique victory (the first in Ligue 1 McDonald's at the Stade Vélodrome since 2011), Roberto De Zerbi's Olympique de Marseille are straight back into league action with a visit to Liam Rosenior's Strasbourg. Not only a clash between two attacking styles of play, it could also determine who finishes top of the league by the end of the weekend. Strasbourg are currently level with all the sides top of the league on 12 points, following their 3-2 win over Paris FC at Stade Jean Bouin last weekend.
Les Strasbourgeois have got the better of OM lately, and are unbeaten in their last six Ligue 1 McDonald's outings against Les Phocéens - Marseille are looking for their first league win since May 2022 against Le Racing. “I remember those matches well, especially the one in Strasbourg where we were euphoric after our victory in Lyon. We fell. After PSG, the first thought is that Strasbourg has good players, young players who run and are well organised."
RACING CLUB DE STRASBOURG ALSACE vs OLYMPIQUE DE MARSEILLE
Friday 26th September, 20:45 CET
Stade de la Meinau
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Dembélé's Ballon D'Or to receive Parc des Prince coronation
Luis Enrique's men are hoping to bounce back from their Classique loss against Olympique de Marseille when hosting AJ Auxerre this weekend at the Parc des Princes. Yet, focus will also be on Ousmane Dembélé crowning moment as this year's winner of the Ballon d'Or. From the Paris suburbs in Évreux, to his homecoming and brilliant 2024-2025 campaign with PSG - it will be a moment to remember for those Parisian supporters.
PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN vs AJ AUXERRE
Saturday 27th September , 21:00 CET
Parc des Princes
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The Master vs The Apprentice: Habib Beye vs Pierre Sage
Habib Beye and Pierre Sage both cross paths for the first time in a managerial meeting - and for the first time ever since both departed Ligue 2 BKT side Red Star FC. Back in the 2021-2022 season, Habib Beye was made head coach of the Paris suburban side, bringing on board Pierre Sage to help him form his coaching philosophy. “I’m really influenced by positional play,” said Beye in 2023. “I was helped with that a lot by Pierre Sage – I needed someone who had mastered that approach so I could put in place my methodology.”
STADE RENNAIS vs RACING CLUB DE LENS
Sunday, 28th September, 20:45 CET
Roahzon Park
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The Switch: Bruno Génésio vs Paulo Fonseca
An oddity in football in general, two managers of each other's former clubs will face each other in Ligue 1 McDonald's this weekend. Former Lyon boss Bruno Génésio faces former Lille manager Paulo Fonseca in the dugout this weekend; and what's more is that it is already a clash between two sides vying for a top spot in Ligue 1 McDonald's this weekend.
Lyon manager Fonseca is the coach that Lille manager Bruno Génésio has faced the most times in his managerial career without ever winning: six matches in all competitions, with four draws and two defeats. Both sides have had near-perfect starts to the season, and this clash will come as a litmus test to both's ambitions by the end of the season.
LOSC vs OLYMPIQUE LYONNAIS
Sunday, 28th September, 17:15 CET
Stade Pierre-Mauroy
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Can OGC Nice end a bad run?
It's been a complicated start for Les Aiglons to this Ligue 1 McDonald's campaign, who will b e determined to make the most of their home advantage as promoted side Paris FC travel to the Allianz Riviera on Sunday afternoon. Both clubs will go into the game with just two wins and three losses. This for PFC is about right, after adapting to life in the top tier - but it comes as a disappointment for Nice, who'll be looking to get their season back on track. Yet if Paris FC have proved anything so far this season, it is that they are capable of surprising any team at any moment.
OGC NICE vs PARIS FC
Sunday 28th September, 15:00 CET
Allianz Riviera
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READ MORE:
>>The Challengers: Rosenior leads RCSA to new heights
