In particular, the Asturian was asked about Gianluigi Donnarumma’s showing, with the Italian having been partially at fault for both of the Gunners’ goals in the first half – although he did produce some vital stops after the break to keep PSG in the match. 

Although he declined to discuss tactical detail in his immediate post-match interview, the manager nevertheless went on to highlight that his team had been beaten across the board by a well-organised Arsenal team. In his post-match press conference, the PSG manager lamented the physical dominance that Mikel Arteta’s men displayed throughout the encounter:

“I’m not going to single out one player after a defeat, if anything, I take the blame for it. Gigio was not at the required standard, but neither was the rest of the team.”

“Arsenal were better in terms of intensity and pressure, and they won every duel. They then sat back after the second goal and took fewer risks, but overall they deserved the win and we deserved the defeat.”

Luis Enrique again highlighted Arsenal’s ease in one-on-one battles in a later answer:

“It’s impossible to compete without winning our duels. It was their defenders who anticipated our attackers, and our attackers were unable to beat their defenders. We were far from being in the game from the very first minute.”

The Spaniard was nevertheless hesitant about drawing any overarching conclusions about his team’s style of play this early in the campaign:

“We’ll have to wait until the end of the season to do that. This was our first major game of the season, and there will be more to come, so we’ll have to see after those.”

With clashes against Atlético Madrid and Bayern Munich to come in the next two months (and Manchester City in January), the Ligue 1 leaders will have more than their fair share of major tests on the European stage to atone for tonight’s misstep.

GFFN | Raphaël Jucobin – reporting from Arsenal Stadium

The Ligue 1 leaders had struggled in their European opener against Catalan upstarts Girona – ultimately carving out the win with a last-minute own goal – in a match that drew criticism towards a flailing midfield performance.

Earlier reports that Vitinha – the standout performer of last year’s European campaign for PSG  – could be dropped from the lineup indicated a willingness on Luis Enrique’s part to counter Arsenal’s physically imposing midfield set-up, although the Portuguese technician was eventually named in the eleven in the end,

That midfield intensity, though, was on display from the start of the match, as the North Londoners pressed Paris Saint-Germain high up the pitch instantly. The Gunners’ early spell of dominance soon paid off as Kai Havertz headed in from Leandro Trossard’s cross – the German beating a stranded Gianluigi Donnarumma to the ball.

Chances for the visitors would be few and far between, with Nuno Mendes clipping the post from range with an ambitious long-range effort, before Achraf Hakimi broke through down the right and saw his cross deflected out of play by David Raya.

It was the PSG goalkeeper, meanwhile who would be at fault again when Arsenal doubled the lead – Bukayo Saka’s free-kick from wide piercing through the crowd of players and creeping into the far corner ten minutes before the break. PSG would have no response to Arsenal’s physicality and intensity.

The first twenty minutes of the second half would play out in the same vein, with Donnarumma this time keeping out the closest of the home chances in a long-range volley from Martinelli. PSG eventually regained some composure, with a change in momentum coming following some tactical tweaks (Kang-in Lee moving to the right-hand side) and a weakening in Arsenal’s high press.

PSG’s late dominance in possession would draw few clear-cut chances, though – with a long-range knuckle shot from Kang-in Lee and a João Neves effort onto the bar coming closest to troubling the hosts.

Save for a couple of penalty shouts – one for a handball from Calafiori – the Arsenal defence was able to comfortably shepherd the team through the final minutes of the game. The experience assuredness on display from Mikel Arteta’s team, especially off the ball, stood in stark contrast to the desperate lack of ideas on the part of the young Parisians – whose determination was nevertheless beyond reproach.

While Paris Saint-Germain were not at full-strength, it will have nevertheless been a sobering first defeat of the campaign for Luis Enrique’s men – one that shows there is still work to do if they are to reach the gates of the final again. 

PSG player ratings

Gianluigi Donnarumma, 3 – Another unfortunate evening on the continental stage for the Italian, who was at fault in Arsenal’s two first-half goals. Redeemed himself with a good close-range stop from Martinelli at the start of the second half – and a few other saves – but the Italian’s Champions League performances continue to weaken his status as PSG’s undisputed number one. 

Achraf Hakimi, 6 – The Moroccan was PSG’s most incisive attacking threat, having broken past Calafiori down the right wing several times – unfortunately, his teammates’ lack of presence in the box meant that his efforts were to no avail.

Marquinhos, 5

Willian Pacho, 4

Nuno Mendes, 4

Warren Zaïre-Emery, 5

Vitinha, 4

João Neves, 5

Désiré Doué, 4 – The 19-year-old was brought into the starting lineup in the absence of Ousmane Dembélé, who was sanctioned for disciplinary reasons by Luis Enrique. The few opportunities he did get on the ball, though, came to nothing against an impenetrable Arsenal defence. Replaced by Randal Kolo Muani on the hour mark.

Kang-in Lee, 6 – A valiant but ultimately ineffective shift up front in the first half soon gave way to a more dynamic showing from the right wing. 

Bradley Barcola, 5 

Selected Arsenal player ratings

Kai Havertz, 7

Leandro Trossard, 7

William Saliba, 9

Declan Rice, 8

Riccardo Calafiori, 8

Jurriën Timber, 8

The Asturian was notably praised by his Basque colleague earlier in the day – with Arteta having notably spoken about being a “huge admirer” of his, highlighting the PSG manager’s “incredible personality, huge charisma and energy”. 

Luis Enrique was also asked about facing his fellow ex-midfielder at his own press conference – attended by GFFN – ahead of their Champions League clash. 

“I have good memories of him as a teammate. He had a very complete playing career, one that ended very successfully, and his managerial one has begun in similar fashion.”

“We haven’t faced each other yet as managers, but it will be good to speak with him, even if it’s just for five minutes before the match. He’s one of the best managers on the market right now, he’s turned Arsenal into a club that competes for titles again. He’s a great manager and a great person.”

GFFN | Raphaël Jucobin – reporting from Arsenal Stadium

In his press conference on Monday evening – attended by GFFN – the Asturian denied earlier reports of a heated argument with the French winger in the wake of the match against Rennes, although he opted to remain vague on the details of the call.

“When someone does not respect their obligations towards the team and is not ready – in a week and ahead of a game as important as this one… I want my players to be in the best possible conditions, I’ve left him out and I want the best for the team.”

“[…] I’m going to be very honest with you, I don’t want to make a soap opera out of this. There wasn’t any argument between us, that’s completely false. The issue concerns the player’s obligations towards the team, it’s not a problem between player and manager.”

Luis Enrique went on to add that he had the full support of the club management in his decision, and that he was entirely committed to the calls he makes as manager – “although they aren’t irreversible”.

From the Spaniard’s point of view, it seems, the French international’s temporary absence will remain a non-issue – in any case, the Ligue 1 leaders will be fielding a new-look attack tomorrow night. 

The Asturian notably spoke of his distaste for media duties in an extract from a recent behind-the-scenes documentary for Spanish platform Movistar, in which he explained that he would be willing to give up a quarter of his salary in order to avoid speaking with the press.

In his press conference this afternoon ahead of PSG’s clash against Rennes on Friday night, the Spaniard reiterated that sentiment – even if he did reassure the jounalists in the room that he enjoyed speaking to them:

“I have a great time with you all, I get on well with the press. But if the choice was left up to me, I would have no issue with it. But I’ve never cut a press conference short, I say what I have to say, and sometimes in other languages – not very well, but I do it.”

“It was a spontaneous comment, and it’s true – if right now you were to hand me a piece of paper that said I wouldn’t have to speak to the press anymore in return for giving up 25%, or even 50%, of my salary, then I would sign it. But it wouldn’t be possible, because the contracts that the clubs have signed include an obligation for managers to speak. Personally, I enjoy it, but if I could avoid it I would – especially post-match interviews, when I don’t really have the energy. I’ll say it again, though, I have a good time with you guys.”

The home supporters, in any case, did not have to wait long for an early twist, as OM‘s Leonardo Balerdi was sent off within the first five minutes of the game. The Argentine was first penalised within seconds of kick-off for a lunge on Corentin Tolisso, before being outsmarted by Alexandre Lacazette soon after, while frantically defending a Lyon counter-attack.

Les Gones predictably dominated proceedings from then on – a Gift Orban overhead kick which hit the bar and a last-ditch Rongier block to keep out Tolisso’s shot among the clearer opportunities for Pierre Sage’s men. The former Nantes midfielder was almost decisive at the other end of the pitch as well, seeing his shot from the edge of the box parried by an impressive Lucas Perri reflex save.

His Argentine counterpart would keep the visitors afloat with a string of impressive saves, culminating in a penalty save from Alexandre Lacazette just before the break – striking first in what was something of an Olympic rematch of their own. 

The hosts would eventually find the back of the net through some unlikely contributors – Clinton Mata swinging the ball into the box after a sliding tackle to swipe the ball from Rongier, and Ćaleta-Car on hand to send an emphatic header past Rulli. It was a timely first goal in Lyon colours for the Croatian – coming against his former club, no less.

Lyon were made to pay for their missed chances, though, as Pol Lirola pounced on a defence-splitting through ball from Luis Henrique to unexpectedly draw Marseille level. The Catalan right-back – who had not scored for Marseille in nearly three years – had been brought on for Elye Wahi at half-time, with the former Lens man having struggled to make the most of the few chances that came his way.

Lirola would be involved in Marseille’s second of the night as well, following up a lung-bursting run down the right with a cross to the onrushing Ulisses Garcia. With the Lyon defence squarely beaten, the Swiss left-back found the back of the net with a lob over a helpless Perri.

The stoppage time that followed was enough to elevate the match among the Olympico all-time classics. Rayan Cherki, on the day his contract renewal was announced, appeared to have rescued a point for the hosts with a smart backheel finish – only for another substitute in Marseille’s Jonathan Rowe to hit back immediately afterwards. Roberto De Zerbi’s men, now level on points with Paris Saint-Germain and Monaco – will have needed a Ligue 1 classic to see off their fellow Olympians – but it could be a foundational performance for the season ahead.

Lyon player ratings

Lucas Perri, 5 – The Brazilian had little to do in the first half given Marseille were on the back foot from early on, but he did prevent an opener from the visitors on the half-hour mark by keeping out a close-range shot from Rongier. However, he did look shakier in the second half – and was notably beaten too easily on Garcia’s lob to put Marseille in front.

Clinton Mata, 6

Duje Ćaleta-Car,  5

Nicolás Tagliafico, 4

Ainsley Maitland-Niles, 4

Nemanja Matić, 5

Jordan Veretout, 4 – Replaced by Maxence Caqueret halfway through the second half.

Corentin Tolisso, 4

Abner Vinícius, 3

Alexandre Lacazette, 4 – The captain cleverly drew the foul that led to Leonardo Balerdi’s dismissal, but was ultimately too ineffective in front of goal to make the most of the numerical advantage he helped crate.

Gift Orban, 4

Marseille player ratings

Guillermo Rulli, 8

Leonardo Balerdi, N/A – The Argentine was sent off within the first five minutes after two largely avoidable yellow cards – challenges on Tolisso and then Lacazette. An early return to the dressing room made all the more disappointing by the fact that he had reinvented himself in the last 12 months to become Marseille’s defensive lynchpin.

Geoffrey Kondogbia, 6

Lilian Brassier, 7

Michael Murillo, 5

Ismaël Koné, 5

Pierre-Emile Højbjerg, 5

Mason Greenwood, 5

Amine Harit, N/A – Was replaced by Valentin Rongier in the wake of Leonardo Balerdi’s sending-off.

Luis Henrique, 5

Elye Wahi, 3 – Admittedly, the circumstances were not ideal for the French striker to get much service up front – but the few times he did manage to get on the ball were inconsequential. A rare off-day against his favourite opposition, having scored 6 times in his career against Les Gones. Replaced by Leonardo Balerdi (9) who put in a career-defining performance to lead Marseille’s comeback, first scoring and then setting up Garcia for the second goal.

Having mostly convinced in league action so far – four wins in four games – Paris Saint-Germain’s first test of the European campaign against Girona came at a time when the customary early-season optimism was at its apex. 

Save for a few injury absences – notably that of Gianluigi Donnarumma, handing summer signing Matvey Safonov his debut, and the long-term absences of Gonçalo Ramos and Lucas Hernández – Luis Enrique appeared close to working out his first-choice starting eleven. Tuesday’s blunt showing at the Parc des Princes, though, showed that there is still work to be done for the Asturian.

An ambitious start for Catalans saw the early chances distributed fairly evenly. The hosts, though, came closest with a Zaïre-Emery effort from the edge of the box that whistled past the post, and a shot from a tight angle that makeshift frontman Marco Asensio also pulled wide.

Although weakened over the summer, on Tuesday night, Girona displayed much of the same ambition that saw them break into the upper echelons of the Spanish top flight last season. The visitors looked to build from the back at every opportunity, and one spell of first-half possession lasted an impressive two-and-a-half minutes.

Míchel’s men would continue to impress after the break. Viktor Tsygankov was almost presented with a close-range finish, as Stuani headed on a long ball into the box – only for a last-gasp Safonov intervention to swipe the ball away before it could reach his feet.

The hosts’ best chance of the first hour would fall to Ousmane Dembélé, who was played through on goal by Kolo Muani. Having been involved in 6 goals since the start of the campaign, the winger’s hitherto profligate finishing made a return in that very moment, as Ladislav Krejčí made the most of his dithering with a last-ditch tackle. The 27-year-old would nearly make amends minutes later, as Gazzaniga tipped his shot from wide onto the bar.

The eventual winner would come from an unlikely source, as Nuno Mendes’ hopeful last-minute cross pierced through Gazzaniga’s hands after being deflected by Alejandro Francés, and bobbled over the line. The own goal secured what would be a rather fortuitous fifth win in a row for Luis Enrique’s men – after an otherwise flat showing, which will inevitably raise questions regarding their forwards’ efficiency in front of goal (26 shots, just 5 on target). The Ligue 1 leaders have two weeks to get firing on all cylinders ahead of their trip to London.

Paris Saint-Germain player ratings

Matvey Safonov, 6

Achraf Hakimi, 5

Marquinhos, 7 – The captain and his partner in central defence were the two standout players for PSG – as much an indictment of the hosts’ lack of attacking incision as an appraisal of their performances. A nevertheless solid showing from the Brazilian

Willian Pacho, 7

Nuno Mendes, 7 

Warren Zaïre-Emery, 6 – The teenager was PSG’s most active midfielder – justifying Luis Enrique’s decision to play him over Neves – and was unsurprisingly the only one to last the full ninety minutes.

Vitinha, 5 – Replaced by Kang-in Lee on the hour mark.

Fabián Ruiz, 5 – Replaced by João Neves on the hour mark.

Ousmane Dembélé, 4 – Far from the form he had been showing since the start of the campaign, the former Barcelona man reverted to his usual wastefulness in the final third. PSG will hope that tonight’s performance was only a blip in an otherwise excellent season so far. 

Marco Asensio, N/A – Replaced by Randal Kolo Muani before half time, after picking up what appeared to be a thigh injury. The France striker was the most effective of PSG’s front three in the second half, combining well with his teammates and nearly scoring himself after a neat turn in the box.

Bradley Barcola, 4 – Replaced by Désiré Doué on the hour mark.

Having been criticised for his team’s lack of attacking edge in Germany this summer, Didier Deschamps opted for a new-look lineup for France’s Nations League opener, with Michael Olise notably making his debut after impressing at the Olympic Games.

Although the spotlight was on the returning Kylian Mbappé and the debutant Michael Olise, it was Bradley Barcola who – not for the first time this season – struck first at the Parc des Princes. Within seconds of kick-off, the in-form Paris Saint-Germain winger swiped the ball from a dithering Giovanni Di Lorenzo, before racing through on goal and beating his club teammate with his increasingly characteristic sweeping finish.

After an initial flurry of chances, though, Les Bleus seemed to regress back to their pre-summer bluntness as the half went on. Deschamps’ men would be made to pay for their on the half-hour mark, as Federico Dimarco volleyed in the equaliser after an audacious one-two with Sandro Tonali on the edge of the penalty box.

The hosts appeared to recover from the setback and regained their composure after half-time – until a loose pass from Youssouf Fofana was swiftly pounced on by the Azzurri, with Davide Frattesi finishing off the ensuing counter-attack to complete the turnaround.

A fresh wave of French attacks – spurred on by the introduction of Ousmane Dembélé and some darting runs from Théo Hernandez – would draw a few chances for an instant reply, but ultimately Les Bleus struggled to break through. The hosts would soon double their lead through Giacomo Raspadori, with the Napoli man skipping past a beleaguered William Saliba before unleashing an emphatic close-range shot past Maignan. 

Despite a promising start to proceedings, Les Bleus have failed to provide any answers to the question that arose during their torpid run to the Euro 2024 semi-finals. Their opening match of the 2024/25 campaign has, if anything, seen the team lose the defensive solidity that characterised their performances this summer. The major winner tonight will have been Dayot Upamecano, given the Konate-Saliba pairing’s shaky showing – especially when faced with the Italian team’s counters in the first half.

Up front, Kylian Mbappé will have been largely anonymous on his return to the French capital, with his PSG replacement Bradley Barcola instead providing the attacking spark for the French. Whether tonight’s defeat prompts further line-up changes from Deschamps – whose inclusion of Olise from kick-off already showed a willingness to reinvent himself after the Euros – remains to be seen. 

France player ratings

Mike Maignan, 5

Jonathan Clauss, 4

Ibrahima Konaté, 4

William Saliba, 4

Théo Hernandez, 4

N’Golo Kanté, 4

Youssouf Fofana, 3 – The Milan man’s partnership with N’Golo Kanté was arguably the weak spot of the evening for France. Italy’s second goal was a direct consequence of his wayward pass and sluggish attempt to track back. Paid the price almost instantly by being replaced by Manu Koné on the hour mark.

Antoine Griezmann, 5

Michael Olise, 5 – Played with the same ostensibly effortless that made him the breakout astar of the Paris Olympics, skipping past defenders with ease. Unlike a few weeks ago, though, the final-third impact was somewhat lacking. Replaced by Ousmane Dembélé on the hour mark.

Bradley Barcola, 6 – Scored France’s fastest-ever goal – opening the scoring after just 12 seconds – to continue his impressive run of form since the start of the campaign, at his home ground no less.

Kylian Mbappé, 3 – The Real Madrid man’s impact on his return to the Parc des Princes was minimal, save for a few combinations on the edge of the box. Evidently not suited to the lone centre-forward position in the France set-up – but given how well Barcola is playing, it would be hard to justify putting Mbappé back on the left wing in the starting lineup.

If the opening-day battering in Brittany hinted at a return to reality for Lyon, this afternoon’s despondent showing at home confirmed a regression to the form that pinned them to the bottom of the table last autumn. 

Despite the defeat to Rennes, there was a sense of optimism ahead of Lyon’s first home game of the campaign – not least given that Alexandre Lacazette was back in the squad. The veteran forward, on his return from leading France to Olympic silver, was thrown straight into the starting eleven, in a revamped forward line.

Despite Pierre Sage’s attack-minded lineup, the hosts conceded possession to Monaco for the majority of the first half. The chances they did carve out, though, came about from Malick Fofana’s incisive runs down the left wing and Georges Mikautadze’s tenacious hold-up play (the Georgian was brought on for the injured Ernest Nuamah early on). Off the ball, though, Lyon’s discoordinated pressing left the Monégasques to their own devices for much of the first half.

The Principality outfit relied on some loose balls inside the penalty box to trouble Perri – the best chance falling to Takumi Minamino on the half-hour mark, with the Japanese midfielder’s deft effort across goal pushed onto the bar by the goalkeeper. Breel Embolo had found himself in a similar one-on-one situation minutes earlier, but was unable to swivel himself around in time to unleash a shot on target.

Lyon would eventually be made to pay for their passive set-up as Ben Seghir opened the scoring twenty minutes into the second half, beating Perri after playing a one-two with Maghnes Akliouche on the edge of the box. A subdued Lyon defence were once again caught out – Moussa Niakhaté in particular at fault with a misplaced pass to start with – as Ouattara’s ball across goal as converted into an empty net by Lamine Camara. The midfielder’s sending off ten minutes later, just before the final whistle, would be the only blot in the copybook for Adi Hütter’s men.

For Monaco, it will have been a fitting result to celebrate their centenary – although not necessarily one that confirms them as Paris Saint-Germain’s most credible challenger just yet. After another needless and costly squad reshuffle, Lyon look set for a repeat of last year’s autumn of anguish. A spendthrift summer for the John Textor-owned club – over €130m shelled out so far – has patently yet to bear its fruits out on the pitch.

Lyon player ratings

Lucas Perri, 5

Clinton Mata, 5

Duje Ćaleta-Car, 5

Moussa Niakhaté, 3 – A woeful showing from the new arrival, who often needlessly ventured out of position, misplaced passes and was partly at fault for both of Monaco’s goals. A tough start to life as Jake O’Brien’s replacement.

Abner Vinícius, 3 – Replaced by Nemanja Matić for the last twenty minutes.

Ainsley Maitland-Niles, 4

Maxence Caqueret, 4 – Replaced by Corentin Tolisso in the last ten minutes.

Ernest Nuamah, N/A – The Ghanaian went off with a thigh injury after fifteen minutes, having gone down after being sent through one-on-one by Fofana, which allowed Jakobs to catch up with him. Replaced by Georges Mikautadze (5), whose contributions in attack were one of the few positives for Lyon this afternoon.

Saïd Benrahma, 4 – Replaced by Mahamadou Diawara in the final ten minutes.

Malick Fofana, 5 – The most effective performer out of Lyon’s extended forward line this afternoon, bursting down the left on his own several times in the first half. A somewhat quieter second half, before being replaced by Mama Baldé for the final fifteen minutes.

Alexandre Lacazette, 5

Monaco selected player ratings

Philipp Köhn, 6

Vanderson, 6 – Replaced by new signing Jordan Teze on the hour mark.

Thilo Kehrer, 6

Mohammed Salisu, 6

Ismail Jakobs, 6

Denis Zakaria, 6 – Replaced by Soungoutou Magassa for the final five minutes.

Lamine Camara, 6 – Let down by his late red card – picking up a second booking for a challenge on the edge of his own box – but the Senegal international was the standout midfielder across both teams. The 20-year-old’s impact was key to nullifying the hosts’ attacking edge, with eight recoveries and three interceptions. A well-timed run into the box to turn Ouattara’s cross into an empty net (admittedly, Ilenikhena was behind him and would have scored himself anyway).

Maghnes Akliouche, 6

Takumi Minamino, 6 – Replaced by Wilfried Singo for the final five minutes.

Eliesse Ben Seghir, 7 – The Moroccan’s combinations with Maghnes Akliouche constantly caught out the left-hand side of Lyon’s defence – made up of two signings who have decidedly yet to find their feet. Could have been more effective in the final third aside from his goal, but the 19-year-old nonetheless turned in a lively performance, made all the more impressive by the fact he has only recently returned from national team duty at the Olympics. Replaced by Kassoum Ouattara at the end of the game.

Breel Embolo, 5 – An active presence around the box which kept a frantic Lyon defence occupied, but squandered the handful of chances that came his way (four shots, all off target). Replaced by George Ilenikhena for the final 30 minutes.

GFFN | Raphaël Jucobin

The match would be overshadowed by the serious blow to the head suffered by Angel Gomes, after a collision in the air with Amadou Koné ten minutes into the game. The Englishman, who was initially left unconscious, was on the ground for over half an hour as he received treatment. His teammates, who formed a circle around him straight away, were incensed by what they saw as a slow initial reaction from the medical personnel – with Rémy Cabella even grabbing an oxygen bag to bring onto the pitch. 

Koné, who was duly sent off, apologised for the accidental collision straight away as he was leaving the pitch. Gomes would eventually leave the pitch on a stretcher, with an ambulance waiting pitchside, as both sets of fans chanted his name. It was soon confirmmed by Lille that the former Manchester United man had regained consciousness and was on his way to the hospital.

Once play resumed, Lille were on the front foot and made the most of their numerical advantage, despite the difficult circumstances. It was defender Bafodé Diakité who would break the deadlock, turning in a half-volley from close range after Cabella’s corner from the right. The Lille captain ran straight over to the bench to celebrate by brandishing a Gomes jersey to the Stade Auguste-Delaune crowd. 

Les Dogues’ domination continued after the break, with 23-year-old winger Osame Sahraoui – a summer arrival from Heerenveen – the standout performer going forward. As the half went on, though, Bruno Génésio’s men understandably began to play with the handbrake on, with their reception of Slavia Prague just days away. Jonathan David would nevertheless find time to double the lead in the final minutes of the game, having found himself one-on-one with Yehvann Diouf after Ethan Mbappé’s shot was deflected into his path.

Given the distressing circumstances, it would be premature to draw any grand conclusions for either side after tonight’s season-opener. Reims will have played virtually the entire match a man down, up against a team that was ostensibly content with sitting back after taking the lead, as their priorities lay elsewhere. 

Angel Gomes himself would give a reassuring update on Sunday via his social media accounts – “the impact was hard, but I’m feeling better” – after LOSC president Olivier Létang had confirmed post-match to DAZN that the Englishman had regained consciousness and was speaking and moving while in hospital.

Selected player ratings

Reims

Yehvann Diouf, 5 – The 24-year-old goalkeeper kept his team in the game for as long as he could with four saves – notably making a near-post stop from Mohamed Bayo in the first half, injuring his finger in the process.

Junya Ito, 5 – The Japanese winger was responsible for carving out the few chances the Champagne outfit had to get back into the game – notably a late cross that was deflected by Thomas Meunier. 

Oumar Diakité, 4

Keito Nakamura, 4

Lille

Osame Sahraoui, 7 – The summer signing had already caught the eye in his cameo appearance in Istanbul in midweek, and confirmed that first impression with a dynamic showing in Reims. Always willing to take his defender on, the Norwegian international was key to Lille’s second-half dominance with some incisive runs paired with selfless decision-making.

Bafodé Diakité, 7 – The defender, who wore the captain’s armband until Jonathan David came on in the second half, opened his team’s account for the campaign with a well-taken half-volley, and led the backline to a clean sheet.

Tiago Santos, 6

Rémy Cabella, 5

Mohamed Bayo, 4