Game Day 27 was a good one for Folarin Balogun but not so much so for Tanner Tessman and his Olympians over the weekend in France.
Lyon 1 – 2 Monaco
It was another Battle of the Yanks’ weekend in Ligue 1 but although Folarin Balogun put in an 85-minute shift and found the back of the net, Tanner Tessmann only got onto the field in the 85th minute, so in reality, the two Americans never got to face off this time. Monaco came from behind in this contest, having gone a goal behind just before the intermission but fought back to secure the points. It extended their winning streak to six in a row, while breaking the six-game unbeaten streak of OL.
Fifteen minutes into the game, Maghnes Akliouche latched onto a through ball into the box, but the angle was too much for the Frenchman who saw his effort parried away by the Lyon keeper. Then at the half hour mark Balogun danced around a couple defenders and slid the ball across the face of goal but it was cleared by Afonso Moreira before a Monaco toe could poke it over the goal line.
Just before the half however, it was the home fans celebrating a goal when Endrick picked out his Czech colleague, Pavel Sulc around 10 yards out. The midfielder blasted it into the back of the net for the 11th time this season. After the intermission however, it took around 20 minutes to tie the game up, thanks to Akliouche. The French international latched onto a long diagonal ball from Jordan Teze and tucked it away just inside the 18-yard box.
In the 70th minute, Akliouche charged into the box with the ball at his feet and was unceremoniously brought to his knees. After having a think about it as played continued, the referee eventually pointed to the spot. Balogun took the ball, placed it on the spot and sent the keeper the wrong way, claiming his second goal from the penalty spot this season. It was also his fifth consecutive Ligue 1 goal. The American had another chance at lighting up the score board but his effort from close range ended up sailing over the cross bar.
After the international break, Monaco will host Tim Weah and Marseille, while Lyon travels to take on Angers.
Marseille 1 – 2 Lille
Marseille’s first half lead was thrown away after the intermission when former Belgian international, Thomas Meunier tied things up minutes into the second half. He later assisted former Arsenal and Chelsea man, Olivier Giroud on the eventual game winner. Tim Weah was in the starting lineup for OM and played the duration.
Eighteen minutes into the game, Englishman Mason Greenwood had to be substituted off after Calvin Verdonk viciously tackled the former Manchester United winger where the Dutchman was only shown a yellow card. Another Englishman, Ethan Nwaneri who is on loan from Arsenal came onto the field and it turned out to be a very good substitution. A day after his 19th birthday, he slotted the ball past the Lille keeper, collecting his late birthday present and second Marseille goal.
Lille’s comeback started when the Belgian defender sent a cross into the box from the right flank, and when the Marseille defense failed to clear their box, he was able to knock it into the back of their net. Then four minutes before the full 90, the Belgian turned provider, putting the ball into the box for Giroud to nod home for the game winner.
Marseille, still holding onto the third spot after Lyon failed to take advantage, will face Monaco next.
Toulouse 1 – 0 Lorient
A late goal by Emersonn made all the difference as Mark McKenzie and Toulouse picked up back-to-back Ligue 1 victories to secure ninth place with only seven games remaining on the calendar. The American went the distance in his right back position.
The Brazilian came onto the field just after the hour mark to bolster a very ineffective Toulouse attack and he did just that. He latched onto a long ball into the box, shimmied around a pair of defenders and then blasted the ball into the roof of Yvon Mvogo’s net in the 81st minute.
Toulouse will have their hands full when they travel to the French capital after the break to take on PSG, who lead the league by just one point over Lens.