In a week that saw every side play two rounds of matches, PSG and Caen were the only teams to pick up all six points. The big-spenders produce three of the WhoScored XI, with Rennes supplying us with two players after a brilliant 6-2 win at Sochaux. A couple of Auxerre players feature after putting four past Sochaux on Sunday to compound a thoroughly miserable week for Mehmed Baždarević’s side- previously they had tasted defeat just once in their first six games. The last unbeaten record of the season fell as Lyon were beaten at Caen, while champions Lille drew for the third game in a row to extend their unbeaten run to six games. Here’s the lowdown on three of the top performers over the two sets of fixtures:
Dariusz Dudka, Auxerre. WhoScored rating 7.0
One of only two players to have started every game for Auxerre this season, the right-back has been an integral part of a defence that has tasted defeat just once but, due to their inability to finish off games, Auxerre sit in 9th, with just two wins under their belt so far.
Their first match last week saw them pick up a commendable point at Lorient, a side who had won both their previous home games. With the hosts attacking mainly down the Auxerre left (41%), the left-back Amadou Sidibe (20) managed just 46 touches and as the player position map (right) shows, Dudka (5) played a more prominent attacking role, with 63 touches in comparison.
He produced 2 key passes –joint-top creator for his side- and a strong defensive display was key to his side picking up a point. Dudka made 2 tackles and a brilliant 7 interceptions –Sidibe made just 4 on the other flank- in addition to 3 clearances and 1 blocked shot, his performance limited the Lorient left winger Mathieu Coutadeur to just 1 shot all game.
The following game saw Auxerre hammer Sochaux 4-1 at home on Sunday afternoon. Possession-wise, it was a closer encounter than the scoreline suggests, with the hosts having 49% of the ball. Dudka’s defensive shift saw him make 2 tackles and 2 interceptions, as well as 2 clearances during the course of the game. He offered more in terms of distribution this time round, with 5 accurate long balls prompting attacks from deep, as well as 1 shot and 1 key pass for a rating of 7.03.
Javier Pastore, PSG. WhoScored rating 7.8
The first game saw PSG defeat Nice 2-1 at home to get back to winning ways after a 2-2 draw at Evian the previous week. With both home goals coming from penalties caused by Nice mistakes, Pastore failed to play any part in either goal, though his offensive stats were relatively strong without having any real effect on the match result.
The home side dominated with 55% possession but the shots on goal suggest an evenly balanced match – 12 to PSG, 13 to Nice- and Pastore managed 3 of his side’s attempts, joint-top with Mathieu Bodmer. Pastore had 2 on target and also was joint-top for key passes (2) in addition to managing the most successful dribbles (3) over the course of the game. He never really imposed himself on the proceedings to the extent he is capable of; 59 touches produced 38 passes with a fairly average 76% accuracy. The Argentine also made 1 tackle and picked up a match rating of 6.97, the 4th-best player for the victors.
The following game saw PSG travel to Montpellier in a crucial game near the top of the table. A victory would have put the hosts five points clear of their opponents but PSG rose to the occasion and, inspired by Pastore’s brilliance, swept Montpellier aside 3-0 to join Lyon and Toulouse at the top on 17 points. The result wasn’t a fair reflection of the game in any way, though; the host side dominated possession (61%) and fired in 21 shots to PSG’s 13 but the visitors, with Pastore playing in the hole behind Kevin Gameiro, proved the more clinical.
The player position map (above left) shows how much the wingers Nene (10) and Jeremy Menez (7) tucked in when in possession, allowing Pastore (27) the freedom to venture forward and support lone striker Gameiro (19), though overall PSG attacked through the middle just 29% of the time. Menez and Nene had the most touches (77 and 63) from the visiting side, with Pastore’s involvement again far less- just 48 touches in comparison; as a result he produced just 28 passes, with a 75% accuracy.
Pastore was his side’s greatest goal threat, though, and from 4 shots, he scored with both his efforts on target. The playmaker produced 3 key passes –second to Nene’s 4- and had 2 successful dribbles, highlighting his menace when PSG could get him on the ball. A man of the match award followed and with 4 goals from 5 starts, it’s clear that Pastore is beginning to settle. A rating of 7.60 for the season so far is the best of any PSG player and third top in Ligue 1 to date.
Youssouf Hadji, Rennes. WhoScored rating 8.2
Playing as the lone forward in his side’s 4-2-3-1, Hadji found the net in both his games over the last week. Having made just two substitute appearances in the previous six games, his impact in the first-team was immediate, as Rennes took their unbeaten run to five matches and moved up to 5th in the table.
The first game was a magnificent 6-2 win at Sochaux. The player position map (right) shows Hadji (19) was supported by Julien Feret (8) playing in the hole just behind in a match his side dominated- they had 54% possession but fired off 19 goal attempts to their hosts’ 8 and chalked up a substantial win due to some clinical finishing- their 6 goals came from 9 shots on target.
While playmaker Feret had 87 touches, Hadji had almost half (44), but, as he dropped deep, his link-up play and creativity shone throughout- he made 4 key passes, more than any team mate, and picked up 2 assists in the romp. His danger was targeted by the home side- Hadji was the most-fouled (3) Rennes player and managed 2 shots, scoring once –from the penalty spot- as he picked up a match rating of 8.93.
Rennes’ next match saw them host a St Etienne side that had failed to win in their previous five games, picking up just two points in the process. Despite their domination – 55% possession and 14 shots to 10- they failed to grab the three points. Hadji had given his side the lead on 41 minutes but an equaliser early in the second half earned the visitors a draw.
His overall involvement was fairly minimal- just 37 touches this time round, with only 25 passes made. Ferret was the main creator this time, with 6 key passes, and while Hadji failed to make any, he managed 2 shots- both on target- finding the net once in a 7.43 man of the match performance. Already, the 31-year-old is Rennes’ top-rated player for the season with an average 7.19 and his displays in the gameweek gone by look to have established his place as a first-team regular.
