PSG and Lyon Remain Unbeaten in Ligue 1, Marseille Faces Pressure

Paris, Sep 11 (AP) - Defending champions Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Lyon remain the only teams with a flawless record as they approach the fourth round of Ligue 1 matches. Both teams have won all their games thus far.

Surprisingly, Lyon has started strong despite concerns, having narrowly escaped relegation due to financial issues. This was after successfully appealing sanctions for financial irregularities and managing to sell crucial players to maintain financial balance.

Veteran striker Olivier Giroud's Lille is also unbeaten. Traditionally known for their defensive prowess, Lille boasts the highest goal tally in the league with 11 goals.

Key Matchups

A home fixture for Marseille against newly promoted Lorient is garnering interest, even though Marseille has suffered two losses already this season. Renowned for its fervent supporters, Marseille is under pressure, as fans can be quick to express dissatisfaction.

Their turbulent start included a locker-room altercation between star midfielder Adrien Rabiot and forward Jonathan Rowe after a loss to Rennes. Both players have since been transferred, but another defeat at Stade Velodrome could be costly for Marseille.

Lyon faces a challenge visiting Rennes, especially after selling talented Georgian forward Georges Mikautadze to Villarreal for 31 million euros (USD 36 million) to alleviate financial debts.

Lille is set to host Toulouse, which is coming off a heavy loss to PSG, having conceded six goals.

Players to Watch

Just five years ago, Ilan Kebbal was playing in France's third division, struggling for a professional contract. Now, he's Ligue 1's joint top-scorer with newly promoted Paris FC and has earned a call-up to Algeria's national team. The 27-year-old looks to add to his tally of three goals as Paris FC travels to Brest on Sunday.

Giroud, who was rested in Lille’s previous match, saw his side triumph 7-1 over Lorient without him. The 38-year-old striker aims to reconnect in attack with 20-year-old Belgian forward Matias Fernandez-Pardo, who scored twice in that game. Giroud previously played alongside right back Benjamin Pavard when France clinched the 2018 World Cup.

Pavard, having surprisingly moved from Inter Milan, may make his debut this weekend for Marseille against Lorient.

Out of Action

PSG will be without star forwards Ousmane Dembélé and Désiré Doué for their home game against Lens on Sunday. Both sustained injuries during France's international matches, leading to frustration from PSG, who criticized the management of players by France’s technical staff. This criticism drew a quick response from France's coach, Didier Deschamps.

Off the Field

In one of his final actions before leaving office, France's ousted Prime Minister François Bayrou played a key role in dissolving a contentious supporters group known as Strasbourg Offenders. The government decreed their disbandment due to repeated violent incidents and incitement to hate and discrimination linked to neo-Nazi hooliganism. The group, consisting of 30 members, is now barred from attending home games at Stade de la Meinau.

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