The battle to close the gap on Ligue 1 leaders Paris Saint-Germain intensified but proved fruitless on Saturday, as Marseille, Monaco, and Lille all dropped points in a day of stalemates.
Marseille hosted Lille at the Velodrome, where the two sides played out a 1-1 draw. Quentin Merlin put the hosts ahead in the 17th minute before Bafode Diakite equalised for Lille. The result kept Marseille second in the league table, narrowly ahead of Monaco on goal difference, with both teams trailing PSG by four points.
Monaco, hoping to capitalise, were held to a goalless draw at Reims later in the evening. Lille remained three points behind the duo in fourth after the draw.
Elsewhere, Lens climbed to sixth, coming from behind twice to draw 2-2 at Auxerre.
Despite the dropped points, Marseille manager Roberto De Zerbi remained optimistic. Lille coach Bruno Genesio echoed similar sentiments but expressed frustration.
De Zerbi, reflecting on Marseille’s progress, added: “We’ve revolutionised everything. Unlike Lille and Monaco, who’ve been building for years, we’re still finding our footing. It takes time.”
Monaco manager Adi Huetter, too, rued missed opportunities after their stalemate with Reims. “”We missed out on two points and a great opportunity to move up to second place, so we’re not happy,” said the Austrian coach.
Meanwhile, Saint-Etienne’s struggles continued with a 2-1 defeat at Toulouse on Friday. The loss prompted the sacking of coach Olivier Dall’Oglio, making him the third Ligue 1 manager to lose his job this season. Laurent Huard, director of the club’s training centre, has been named interim coach.
PSG will aim to extend their lead at the top of the table on Sunday as they face an in-form Lyon side.
