Ligue 1

PSG look unstoppable but Lyon – the other side with a 100% record in Ligue 1 – are likely to be the best of the rest.

Finally, a word for PSG, who were facing arguably their strongest test to date: a trip to Lille, who seem to have bought well this summer and had looked impressive for long stretches of their first two matches this season. With Monaco, Nice and Rennes all stumbling at the start the season, Lens may finally finish in the European places that have eluded them in recent years – if they hold on to star midfielder Seko Fofana. The returns of Tolisso and Lacazette on free transfers have captured the headlines, but Lyon have also invested in their current stars, with Lopes and Caqueret signing lengthy extensions. With just two points from three matches, and a visit from Marseille looming on Sunday, one might begin to wonder if Christophe Galtier overachieved with the team last season, rather than coming up short in the run-in. Following in the footsteps of fellow Brazilians Juninho, Michel Bastos, Cris and Cláudio Caçapa, the winger made a bright start to life in Ligue 1 last season, scoring a goal off the bench to beat Angers. The arrival of foreign investment has been disastrous at other French clubs lately – Toulouse and Bordeaux are the strongest examples, but the events at Marseille in 2021 show that even an owner with the stated aim of sporting success may not always be able to create a harmonious relationship with the club’s fans.