Ligue 1 results: Balotelli at the double as Nice thrash Monaco; Montpellier lose to Nantes

Nice 4 – 0 Monaco

Caen 2 – 1 Dijon

Montpellier 0 – 1 Nantes

Strasbourg 0 – 1 Amiens

Troyes 0 – 0 Toulouse

• Nice 4 – 0 Monaco

Mario Balotelli scored twice as Nice thrashed Monaco, ending the Ligue 1 champions’ 100% winning start to the season.

The former Manchester City and Liverpool striker netted from the penalty spot after just six minutes and tapped in his second from close range.

In between, Alassane Plea broke clear and slotted in for the home side.

Debutant Ignatius Ganago added a fourth for Nice late on, going round the goalkeeper and tucking in.

Leonardo Jardim’s side lost just three times last season when they romped to the title with 95 points from 38 games, but they were second best throughout against Nice.

Monaco, who had won their opening four matches this season as part of a 16-game Ligue 1 winning streak, begin their Champions League campaign on Wednesday with a trip to Bundesliga side RB Leipzig.

• Strasbourg 0 – 1 Amiens

Amiens made it back-to-back wins as they followed up last week’s victory against Nice with their fist away success thanks to Gael Kakuta’s solitary strike in a 1-0 victory at Strasbourg.

Kakuta’s second goal of the season in the 13th-minute clinched it for Amiens, while Strasbourg were reduced to 10 men in the 78th minute when defender Kenny Lala was shown his second yellow card.

• Caen 2 – 1 Dijon

Caen climbed into the top six after a 2-1 home win against Dijon despite playing the last 11 minutes with 10 men.

Ivan Santini’s early penalty, after he had been fouled by Cedric Yambere, was cancelled out by Dijon midfielder Jordan Marie’s low strike seven minutes before the interval.

Yambere’s own goal nine minutes from the end secured Caen a third straight win before left-back Adama Mbengue was shown a straight red card for his 79th-minute foul on Fouad Chafik.

• Montpellier 0 – 1 Nantes

Nantes secured their second way win of the season by beating 10-man Montpellier 1-0.
Defender Diego Carlos fired Nantes’ 76th-minute winner when he nestled a free kick in the top corner, before striker Giovanni Sio was shown a straight red card in the closing stages for his challenge on the goal scorer.

• Troyes 0 – 0 Toulouse

Toulouse were held to a goalless draw at Troyes

Ligue 1 result – Radamel Falcao strike late as Monaco edge Metz and set record

Reigning champions Monaco became the first team to win 15 successive matches in France’s Ligue 1 after Radamel Falcao earned the club a narrow victory at Metz without Kylian Mbappe.

Mbappe, 18, was left out of the squadamid transfer speculation linking him with a move to rivals Paris St-Germain.

Falcao struck a 78th-minute winner after latching onto Rachid Ghezzal’s chip over the home defence.

After finishing last season with 12 successive wins, Monaco have started this campaign by beating Toulouse, Dijon and now Metz.

Colombia striker Falcao’s winner saw Monaco pass Bordeaux’s tally of 14 wins in a row in 2009.

Mbappe, who has also been linked to Real Madrid and Manchester City, was left out of the squad by manager Leonardo Jardim, who said he was “protecting” the player.

Ligue 1 results: Neymar scores and assists in PSG thrashing of Guingamp; Falcao bags hattrick in Monaco victory at Dijon

SUNDAY

Guingamp 0 – 3 Paris Saint Germain

Neymar scored on his Paris St-Germain debut following his world record £200m transfer from Barcelona.

The Brazilian had a hand in all three goals as PSG beat Guingamp to maintain their 100% start to the season.

Jordan Ikoko opened the scoring with an own goal moments after Neymar’s pass to Edinson Cavani was cut out.

Neymar then assisted Cavani with an excellent through ball, before the Uruguayan passed to his new team-mate late on to score from six yards out.

The 25-year-old Brazil international, who played on the left side but got involved centrally too, had a bright debut with plenty of flicks and tricks – although most of his shots were blocked before his late strike.

• Dijon 1 – 4 Monaco

Radamel Falcao scored a hat-trick as Monaco, who left Kylian Mbappe on the bench, thrashed Dijon in Ligue 1.

Reports have claimed that Mbappe, 18, has agreed to join Paris St-Germain in a deal that could exceed £200m.

He was not missed on the pitch as Falcao prodded home an opener and Jemerson’s bicycle kick made it 2-0.

Falcao then curled home a fine goal, and headed home in the second half after Wesley Said had pulled one back.

Mbappe, who scored 26 goals in all competitions last season, went off injured in the defending champions’ 3-2 win over Toulouse on the opening day.

• Strasbourg 3 – 0 Lille

Lille gave two different outfield players a spell in goal as they lost at Strasbourg.

The visitors had used their three substitutes when Mike Maignan was sent off after 63 minutes for throwing the ball at an opponent’s head.

Striker Nicolas de Preville went in goal but conceded softly when Jonas Martin poked the ball past him. Defender Ibrahim Amadou then took over and conceded a Dimitri Lienard penalty and an excellent Jeremy Grimm strike.

SATURDAY

• Nantes 0 – 1 Marseille

A late goal from Lucas Ocampos secured Marseille a 1-0 win at Nantes to maintain their 100 percent start two games into the new Ligue 1 campaign.

Rudi Garcia’s men had seen an effort from Florian Thauvin ruled out for offside before Maxime Lopez sent an effort just wide.

The visitors, though, made sure they left La Beaujoire-Louis-Fonteneau with all three points when Argentine midfielder Ocampos slotted in a rebound with just two minutes left.

However, there was still time left for Nantes striker Emiliano Sala to head a late chance only just off target as Claudio Ranieri’s side were left to reflect on a second straight Ligue 1 defeat.

Ranieri was forced to make his three substitutions within the first 24 minutes as skipper Valentin Rongier hurt an elbow after just 12 minutes, Yacine Bammou followed eight minutes later with a thigh injury, and Alexander Kacaniklic injured a leg.

Marseille must now regroup ahead of Thursday’s Europa League playoff against Slovenian side NK Domzale, when they will be looking to stretch an unbeaten run which currently stands at 21 matches.

• Caen 0 – 1 Saint-Etienne

St Etienne also moved onto six points from two games after a 1-0 win at Caen, with Romain Hamouma scoring the only goal.

Hamouma netted the crucial strike on 67 minutes when he latched onto a through-ball and raced clear down the left before slotting his shot under the goalkeeper to leave Caen still pointless.

• Toulouse 1 – 0 Montpellier

Jimmy Durmaz’s 43rd-minute penalty gave Toulouse their first win of the season, 1-0 at Montpelier, who had beaten Caen a week ago.

• Amiens 0 – 2 Angers

Angers, who drew 2-2 with Bordeaux last week, also secured a win away from home, beating Amiens 2-0 with goals from Enzo Crivelli and Thomas Mangani.

Crivelli clipped home a neat finish on 27 minutes after being played into the right side of the penalty area by Mangani, who got on the scoresheet himself early in the second half when, on 56 minutes, he lobbed the ball back over Amiens goalkeeper Regis Gurtner who had been stranded after rushing out to make a sliding challenge on Crivelli as the striker chased down a long ball.

• Bordeaux 2 – 0 Metz

Valentin Vada and Younousse Sankhare struck to keep Bordeaux unbeaten with a 2-0 home win over Metz.

The hosts, who drew their first domestic match having failed to progress in the Europa League qualifiers, took the lead just before half-time through Vada, who produced a neat turn at the edge of the penalty area and a low shot inside the near post.

Senegal midfielder Younousse Sankhare added a second in the 64th minute when he swept in from close range after Brazil forward Malcom cut in from the right and clipped the ball across the six-yard box.

Nantes 0 – 1 Marseille

Amiens 0 – 2 Angers

Bordeaux 2 – 0 Metz

Caen 0 – 1 Saint-Etienne

Toulouse 1 – 0 Montpellier

Strasbourg 3 – 0 Lille

Dijon 1 – 4 Monaco

Guingamp 0 – 3 Paris Saint Germain

Ligue 1 results – Nice suffer second straight defeat; Depay and Mariano on target as Lyon record second win

Nice 1-2 Troyes

Rennes 1-2 Lyon

• Rennes 1-2 Lyon

Lyon held on to win their second match in as many tries in Ligue 1 this season with a 2-1 victory at Rennes.

Bruno Genesio’s side struck twice in the second half through Memphis Depay and Mariano to open up a 2-0 lead and survived an anxious finale after Benjamin Bourigeaud’s late free kick reduced the deficit.

Former Manchester United forward Depay struck direct from a free kick to break the deadlock for Lyon soon after the break and striker Mariano notched his third goal in two games when he headed home their second in the 74th minute.

• Nice 1-2 Troyes

Saif-Eddine Khaoui’s late winner sank Nice as newly promoted Troyes secured a shock 2-1 win against the Champions League hopefuls.

Tunisian midfielder Khaoui struck the decisive goal in the 85th minute after Alassane Plea’s second-half penalty appeared to have rescued a point for Nice by cancelling out Adama Niane’s brilliant strike for the visitors.

Nice, who travel to Napoli on Tuesday for the first leg of their Champions League second-round qualifying tie, are left waiting for their first league points after last week’s opening-day defeat at St Etienne.

Troyes, who drew their opening game last week at home against Rennes, took the lead in style through Niane’s thunderbolt eight minutes into the second period.

Plea equalised from the spot 10 minutes later after Oswaldo Vizcarrondo’s foul on Pierre Lees-Melou, but Khaoui steered home the winner after being set up by Niane.

Former Real Madrid and Inter Milan midfielder Wesley Sneijder join Ligue 1 side Nice

Netherlands midfielder Wesley Sneijder has joined French Ligue 1 side Nice on a free transfer.

The 33-year had agreed a contract in principle to move to Ligue 1 having been released by Galatasaray by mutual consent and with the deal confirmed on Monday afternoon, the midfielder will be reunited with Mario Balotelli, with whom he won the Champions League with Inter Milan in 2010.

Sneijder, who also confirmed the move by stating “Bonjour Nice” in a video on the Ligue 1 side’s Twitter account.

The former Ajax, Real Madrid and Inter Milan has signed a one-year deal, the club said.

“It’s now official. OGC Nice’s 2017-18 squad now has a third UEFA Champions League winner in it,” a statement on the club’s website said. “After Dante and Mario Balotelli, former European champion Wesley Sneijder will also wear the red-and-black shirt this season after passing a medical on Monday.”

Sneijder, who trained with his new team-mates on Monday, will wear No 10 after Mickaël Le Bihan agreed to pass on the shirt number to the new signing.

“He also knows which shirt he’ll be wearing this season. Mika Le Bihan respectfully agreed to ‘give up’ the number 10 he had been wearing it to present it to the new arrival in the dressing room,” the statement added.

Galatasaray paid £8.4m for Sneijder after he made over 100 appearances for Inter, who bought him from Real Madrid for £12.6m in 2009.

He started his career at Ajax before switching to Real in in 2007.

Sneijder played in the 2010 World Cup final for the Netherlands and has won league titles in four countries.

He is the most-capped player in his country’s history, was with Galatasaray for five seasons, where he scored 45 goals in 174 appearances following a 2013 move from Inter.

Nice, who lost their opening Ligue 1 game of the season 1-0 to St Etienne at the weekend, are through to the Champions League playoff round, where they face Napoli for a place in the group stage of the competition.

Ligue 1 results: Braces from Mariano Diaz and Nabil Fekir earn Lyon biggest week 1 victory; PSG, Lyon, Monaco WIN; Nice LOSE

SUNDAY

• Lille 3-0 Nantes

Lille began their Ligue 1 campaign with a bang, seeing off visitors Nantes 3-0 in Claudio Ranieri’s first competitive game in charge.

After finishing a disappointing 11th and five points behind their opponents last season, Lille hired Argentine coach Marcelo — known as “El Loco Bielsa” (Crazy Bielsa) to his fans — with the aim of returning to the Champions League while playing an exciting brand of football.

Lille also recruited more than a dozen new players, and the northern club’s squad appears to have gelled.

Paraguayan international Junior Alonso got the ball rolling three minutes after half-time.

Nicolas de Preville made it 2-0 from the penalty spot in the 67th minute with Anwar El-Ghazi adding the gloss three minutes later.

The match also featured a duel between Bielsa and another prominent coach, Italian Claudio Ranieri.

The managers, who had a quick chat before the game, returned to the French top flight after spending several years away.

• Marseille 3-0 Dijon

Clinton Njie marked his permanent move to Marseille by scoring twice in a 3-0 victory over Dijon.

Marseille had huffed and puffed during a goalless first half against opponents who were almost relegated last season.

But Njie, introduced at half-time in place of a disappointing Dimitri Payet, provided the penetration Marseille had been missing, scoring twice.

Former Newcastle forward Florian Thauvin also on target scoring the second goal.

• Angers 2-2 Bordeaux

Summer signing Baptiste Guillaume struck late on to earn Angers a 2-2 home draw against Bordeaux.

Angers took an 11th-minute lead when Pierrick Capelle’s cross found its way to Angelo Fulgini, who finished through the legs of Benoit Costil for his first goal in Ligue 1.

But Bordeaux were ahead after Younousse Sankhare turned in Francois Kamano’s cross and Alexandre Mendy scored on debut following his move from Guingamp.

Bordeaux looked as if they would hold on to the points, but two minutes from time Costil palmed out a Karl Toko Ekambi shot and Guillaume could not miss.

SATURDAY

• PSG 2-0 Amiens

Neymar stole the show without even playing as Paris Saint-Germain began their Ligue 1 campaign with a 2-0 victory over Amiens.

The world-record signing was not registered in time to take part in the game but received a hero’s welcome on a tour of the Parc des Princes pitch before kick-off.

It was a daunting Ligue 1 debut for Amiens, who snatched promotion from Ligue 2 in the final seconds of last season to reach the top division for the first time.

But they were not embarrassed despite PSG dominating both possession and chances.

The opening goal came in the 41st minute from Edinson Cavani, who turned in a cross from Dani Alves – PSG’s other high-profile Brazilian signing who was eligible to play.

It was not until 10 minutes from time that the hosts doubled their lead, Marco Verratti unselfishly finding Javier Pastore, who had the simple task of slotting home.

• Saint Etienne 1-0 Nice

Nice, who flew out of the blocks last season and were long-time leaders of Ligue 1, suffered a 1-0 defeat to St Etienne, with Jonathan Bamba scoring the only goal in the fourth minute.

It was a fine start to his St Etienne managerial career for Oscar Garcia, who joined the club in June from Red Bull Salzburg.

• Montpellier 1-0 Caen

Michel Der Zakarian quit Reims to become the new manager of Montpellier in May and he also made a winning start, with Souleymane Camara’s 59th-minute goal enough in a 1-0 win over Caen.

• Lyon 4-0 Strasbourg

Lyon were the biggest winners of the opening weekend after beating newly-promoted Strasbourg 4-0.

Strasbourg have had four promotions in six seasons and are back in the top flight for the first time since 2008, but it was a sobering first outing.

Mariano Diaz made a great start to life in Ligue 1 after signing from Real Madrid this summer with goals in the 23rd and 62nd minutes.

Nabil Fekir also grabbed a brace, netting in the 59th minute from the penalty spot and then rounding off the rout in injury time.

• Troyes 1-1 Rennes

Troyes were the only one of the promoted trio to claim a point thanks to a 1-1 draw with Rennes.

Samuel Grandsir gave Troyes the lead just after half-time but Jordan Tell equalised in the 69th minute.

• Metz 1-3 Guingamp

It was a fine start to the season for Guingamp, who came from a goal down to defeat Metz 3-1 at the Stade Saint-Symphorien.

Nolan Roux put the hosts one up in the 14th minute but Guingamp were level at the break thanks to Jimmy Briand’s penalty.

It was all square until 20 minutes from time when Ludovic Blas put the visitors ahead and Moustapha Diallo made sure of the points five minutes from time.

FRIDAY

• Monaco 3-2 Toulouse

Monaco came from behind on two occasions to open their Ligue 1 title defence with a thrilling 3-2 victory against Toulouse on Friday night.

Zinedine Machach netted for the visitors after just six minutes at the Stade Louis II Stadium before Jemerson levelled for the champions with a header after 28 minutes.

Andy Delort stunned the hosts once more after he put Toulouse back in front with 53 minutes gone only for Radamel Falcao to head Monaco back on level terms shortly before the hour mark.

Kamil Glik nodded home Joao Moutinho’s free-kick from close range with 20 minutes remaining to complete Monaco’s comeback and kick-start their campaign with three points.

Monaco’s thrilling five-goal victory however, was tainted after an injury sustained by Kylian Mbappe in the second half.

Mbappe, the 18-year-old linked with a move to Real Madrid and Barcelona, left the field after 74 minutes with an apparent knee injury and was replaced by Allan Saint-Maximin.

Speaking afterwards, Monaco boss Leonardo Jardim said:

“It’s the first match of the season so there is a change in intensity. I don’t think the injury is too bad. He’ll be better in two or three days.”

Mbappe scored 26 goals in 44 appearances for Monaco last season and was handed the club’s number 10 shirt for the season.”

Monaco 3 – 2 Toulouse

Paris Saint Germain 2 – 0 Amiens

Lyon 4 – 0 Strasbourg

Metz 1 – 3 Guingamp

Montpellier 1 – 0 Caen

Saint-Etienne 1 – 0 Nice

Troyes 1 – 1 Rennes

Lille 3 – 0 Nantes

Angers 2 – 2 Bordeaux

Marseille 3 – 0 Dijon

Barcelona grant Neymar permission to discuss with PSG ahead of world record move

Barcelona forward Neymar has been given permission to discuss a world record 222m euro (£198m) transfer with Paris St-Germain.

The Brazil international told his team-mates at training on Wednesday that he wanted to leave the Spanish club, and spent 40 minutes at Barcelona’s training ground.

He was then given permission by Barca manager Ernesto Valverde not to train and to “sort out his future”.

A Barca club statement read: “Neymar Jr, accompanied by his father and agent, has informed FC Barcelona this morning of his decision to leave the club in a meeting held at the club’s offices. “Faced with this position, the club has informed them they refer to the buy-out clause of his existing contract which as of 1 July totals 222million euros, which will have to be deposited in its entirety.

“Furthermore, in reply to the claim for the contract extension bonus, the club has once again made it clear that the amount remains deposited with a notary until the case is resolved. “The player remains under contract at FC Barcelona but with temporary permission to not take part in training sessions.”

The 25-year-old contract has a release clause set at 222m euros, which PSG are understood to be ready to pay.

The latest development comes two days after it emerged Barca were ready to push for a Financial Fair Play investigation if PSG signed Neymar.

That came after La Liga president Javier Tebas threatened, in an interview with Mundo Deportivo,a legal response against the former Ligue 1 champions if European football’s governing body failed to take action.

He also said PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi had been made aware of the Spanish league’s intentions.

Neymar flew back to Spain from Dubai on Tuesday following Barcelona’s pre-season tour in the United States, after attending a series of promotional events in China earlier this week.

One of Neymar’s agents, Wagner Ribeiro, has now arrived in Paris, according to his Twitter account.

A spokesperson for La Liga president Javier Tolbas told Sky Sports News they would not accept payment for Neymar’s €222m (£198m) release clause over “doubts that this money is in accordance with UEFA Financial Fair Play rules”.

However, UEFA sources have since confirmed that Neymar’s release clause cannot be blocked by La Liga.

Neymar moved to Barcelona from Brazilian club Santos in 2013 for £48.6m, and signed a new five-year deal with the 24-time Spanish champions in 2016.

The Brazilian has scored 105 goals for Barcelona, helping them to two league titles, three Copas del Rey and a Champions League crown.

Dani Alves score on debut as PSG beat Mobaco to win fifth straight Trophee des Champions

Monaco 1-2 PSG

Dani Alves had a dream competitive debut as Paris St Germain beat Monaco 2-1 to win French football’s Trophee des Champions curtain-raiser for the fifth successive year.

Djibril Sidibe had put Monaco ahead when he chipped keeper Alphonse Areola.

But Alves, who signed from Juventus on a free transfer earlier this month, netted a 51st-minute equaliser from a brilliant 35-yard free-kick.

The Brazilian, 34, then set up Adrien Rabiot to head home the winner for the Coupe de France winners.

Monaco pair Kylian Mbappe and Thomas Lemar, both strongly linked with moves away this summer, started for the Ligue 1 champions against the Coupe de France winners in the Moroccan city of Tangier.

Mbappé may still be a Monaco player but the departure of players such as Bernardo Silva, Tiémoué Bakayoko, Benjamin Mendy and Valère Germain has weakened the side.

The sides will next meet in Ligue 1 in Monaco’s Louis-II stadium on November 26.

French Guiana faces disciplinary action for fielding former Chelsea midfielder Florent Malouda

​French Guiana are facing disciplinary action after fielding ex-Chelsea and France midfielder Florent Malouda in a Concacaf Gold Cup match in America.

Malouda played in Wednesday’s goalless draw against Honduras despite being ineligible under the Fifa rules in use.

French Guiana-born Malouda, 37, played 80 times for France.

“We are using Fifa rules so a player who’s played in an official match for a different [country] cannot play in the Gold Cup,” said a Concacaf official.

Malouda, who currently plays for Indian Super League team Delhi Dynamos, featured in the 2006 World Cup final for France and, during six years at Chelsea, won three FA Cups, a Premier League and a Champions League.

French Guiana is an overseas department of France.

The national team are not Fifa members and could not, for example, play in the World Cup – but as they are not Fifa members the global governing body’s eligibility rules do not normally apply to them.
As a result Malouda was allowed to play for French Guiana in the 2017 Caribbean Cup, featuring twice as they finished third in Martinique in June.

However, Concacaf’s decision to use Fifa rules means he is ineligible to play in the Gold Cup and Wednesday’s result could be ruled a 3-0 forfeit in favour of Honduras.

“The disciplinary committee will review the case and render its decision in due time,” Concacaf said  in a statement.

Lille freeze out Enyeama, Eder and nine others

​Portugal’s Euro 2016 hero Eder, Nigeria legend Vincent Enyeama and France international Rio Mavuba are among 11 players who have been frozen out over the summer by new Lille coach Marcelo Bielsa.

After being appointed by the club’s new owner, Gerard Lopez, on a two-year deal in May, Bielsa immediately set about reshaping the squad that finished 11th in Ligue 1 last season.

While the former Argentina, Chile and Marseille boss has added to the players at his disposal, he also informed a number of long-serving squad members not to report for preseason training on June 19, and only to start preparing for the new campaign on July 3.

Among them is Eder, 29, who scored the winning goal in last summer’s European Championship final against France, which helped earn him a permanent move to Lille from Swansea City on a four-year deal.

Mavuba, 33, was a member of France’s 2014 World Cup squad and has made nearly 300 Ligue 1 appearances for the club since joining in 2008, and 34-year-old former Nigeria international goalkeeper Enyeama, who moved to Lille in 2011, are also among those ostracised by their new boss.

“It’s a bit bizarre, but I’m handling it OK,” Ivory Coast international Junior Tallo told L’Equipe. “I was informed like the others, by text. We’re under contract, the club does what it wants. We would have liked to have had a discussion. But it’s a business choice made by the bosses.

“As for me, I’m under contract. I will respect the two years I have left. I’m in no hurry. I want to establish myself at Lille. It’s the club that wants me to leave. We’ll see if they find a solution between now and the end of the transfer window. I’m calm.”

On Monday, Enyeama tweeted a selfie with some of his fellow outcasts, who also include Montenegro international Marko Basa, France international Marvin Martin and Zambia defender Stoppila Sunzu, stating: “Always a pleasure to be back with the team.”

Monaco sign Soualiho Meite from Lille

Monaco have announced the signing of midfielder Soualiho Meite from Ligue 1 rivals Lille.

The 23-year-old, who spent last season on loan at Belgian club Zulte Waregem, has agreed a five-year deal starting on July 1.

Meite helped Zulte Waregem lift the Belgian Cup at the end of the campaign and is looking forward to the prospect of playing for the defending French champions.
He told Monaco’s website: “It’s an honour to sign for this great club. There are very good working facilities here.

“I followed the team’s results last year. The team has solidarity, technique and lots of pace.

“I can’t wait to start training, learning and developing under coach Leonardo Jardim’s orders. I’ll be doing my best to show the club management that they were right to give me my chance.”

Former Leicester City coach Claudio Ranieri appointed manager of French club Nantes

​

Former Leicester boss Claudio Ranieri has agreed a two-year deal to manage Ligue 1 side Nantes.

The Italian, who led the Foxes to the Premier League title in 2016, has been without a club since being sacked by the Foxes in February.

“FC Nantes is pleased to announce the arrival of Claudio Ranieri at the head of his professional group,” a statement on theclub’s official websitesaid.

Ranieri had to be granted approval from the Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP) to manage Nantes due to him being at the 65-year age limit.

The much-travelled coach lists Monaco, Juventus and Chelsea among his former clubs and replaces Sergio Conceicao, who recently took charge at Porto.
“At 65 years old, the former defender has a very good experience as a coach – and an impressive record – at the highest level,” the statement added.
Nantes, who have won the French title eight times, finished seventh in Ligue 1 last season.

Coupe de France Final – Issa Cissokho’s late own goal gift PSG victory in French Cup final

​Angers 0 ​– 1 Paris Saint Germain

PSG’s dominance in the domestic cup competitions continued on Saturday after they captured a record 11th French Cup title by beating Angers 1-0 thanks to an injury-time own goal.

 The capital side, who owed their victory to Issa Cissokho’s own goal a minute into added time in an otherwise dull final, claimed the title for the third year running and have now won 32 consecutive League Cup and French Cup games.

Their last defeat in a cup match came in the 2013/14 season when they were knocked out by Montpellier in the last 32 of the French Cup.

The result at the Stade de France should ease the pressure on coach Unai Emery after his side failed in the Champions League and lost their Ligue 1 title to Monaco, but they will end the season with two trophies, having beaten  Monaco 4-1in the French League Cup final in April.

PSG now own one more French Cup title than Marseille.

Cavani, who has scored 49 goals in all competitions this season, squandered a chance to match Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s 2015/16 tally of 50 when he missed the target from close range.
The result earned Girondins de Bordeaux, who finished sixth in Ligue 1, a Europa League spot next season.

Ligue 1 results – Monaco end with win at Rennes; PSG held

​Angers 2 – 0 Montpellier

Guingamp 1 – 0 Metz

Lille 3 – 0 Nantes

Lorient 1 – 1 Bordeaux

Lyon 3 – 3 Nice

Marseille 1 – 0 SC Bastia

Nancy 3 – 1 Saint-Etienne

Paris Saint Germain 1 – 1 Caen

Rennes 2 – 3 Monaco

Toulouse 0 – 0 Dijon

• Rennes 2 – 3 Monaco

Champions Monaco wrapped up their Ligue 1 season with a 12th straight league victory to match Paris St-Germain’s record of 30 wins in a single season.

Monaco won 3-2 at ninth-placed Rennes as Fabinho, Jemerson and Jorge scored.

Two Adama Diakhaby goals were not enough to get Rennes back on level terms.

• Lyon 3 – 3 Nice

Jean Michael Seri’s late penalty earned third-placed Nice a point at Lyon following a 3-3 draw.

Maxime Le Marchand’s own goal put Lyon ahead and Alexandre Lacazette scored twice, bringing up his century of goals for Lyon, but Nice equalised twice through Anastasios Donis and then a third time thanks to Seri.

• Marseille 1 – 0 SC Bastia

Marseille took on Bastia knowing that victory would keep them ahead of Bordeaux in fifth place, while their visitors needed all three points to have a chance of survival.

Bafetimbi Gomis’ second-half strike was enough to earn OM a 1-0 win, relegating Bastia.

• Lorient 1 – 1 Bordeaux

Bordeaux sixth after they drew 1-1 with Lorient in another game with ramifications at both ends of the table.

Younousse Sankhare’s early goal was cancelled out by Vincent Le Goff and Bordeaux must hope Paris Saint-Germain beat Angers in the Coupe de France final, which would mean the European berth passes to sixth place.

• Paris Saint Germain 1 – 1 Caen

Le Goff’s goal had Lorient on course for survival until injury time at the Parc des Princes, when Ronny Rodelin scored to earn Caen a 1-1 draw after PSG had led through Adrien Rabiot.

Rodelin missed a penalty and Julien Feret’s goal was harshly disallowed but the former popped up in the first minute of stoppage time to keep his side up.

• Toulouse 0 – 0 Dijon

Lorient will contest the relegation play-off, with Dijon also keeping themselves out of trouble by drawing 0-0 at Toulouse.

• Nancy 3 – 1 Saint-Etienne

Bastia finished bottom after already-relegated Nancy beat St Etienne 3-1 with goals from Alexis Busin, Modou Diagne and Faitout Maouassa. Arnaud Nordin scored for St Etienne.

• Lille 3 – 0 Nantes

Nantes held on to seventh place despite losing 3-0 at Lille. 

Nicolas De Preville’s hat trick, the third a penalty after Lucas Lima was sent off, left the outcome in no doubt but St Etienne and Rennes missed the chance to overtake Nantes.

• Guingamp 1 – 0 Metz

Guingamp joined St Etienne and Rennes on 50 points as Mustapha Diallo’s goal gave them a 1-0 win over Metz.

• ​Angers 2 – 0 Montpellier

Angers beat Montpellier2-0, with goals in the last 10 minutes from Jonathan Bamba and Flavien Tait.

Ligue 1 result – Mbappe and Germain on target as Monaco win first league title since 2000

​Monaco 2 – 0 Saint-Etienne

Kylian Mbappe fired Monaco on their way to wrapping up the Ligue 1 title as they secured a 2-0 win over St Etienne on Wednesday night.

Europe’s most exciting teenager grabbed his 15th league goal of a sensational season to help the principality club clinch the championship with a game to spare.

Valere Germain put the seal on the win with the last kick of the game to really get the party started.

The hosts kicked off knowing a point would be enough to win a first crown since 2000 and end Paris St Germain’s four-year domination, and Mbappe was a fitting hero as PSG were condemned to finish in second spot.

Yet St Etienne did not arrive in the principality simply to be party guests, and Monaco keeper Danijel Subasic had to keep out a dangerous early header from Alexander Soderlund.

Ligue 1 results – Monaco close to clinching title after thrashing Lille; PSG rout St Etienne; Nice unbeaten home record ended by Angers

​Bordeaux 1 – 1 Marseille

Caen 0 – 1 Rennes

Dijon 2 – 0 Nancy

Metz 1 – 1 Toulouse

Monaco 4 – 0 Lille

Montpellier 1 – 3 Lyon

Nantes 4 – 1 Guingamp

Nice 0 – 2 Angers

SC Bastia 2 – 0 Lorient

Saint-Etienne 0 – 5 Paris Saint Germain

• Monaco 4 – 0 Lille

Monaco all but sealed their first Ligue 1 title since 2000 after Radamel Falcao scored twice in a straight-forward home victory against mid-table Lille.

Falcao nodded in his 20th league goal of the season from close range before Kylian Mbappe’s trickery left Bernardo Silva with a simple tap-in before the break.

Teenage forward Mbappe turned provider again when his cushioned square pass allowed Falcao to volley in the third.

And there was more misery for Lille when away defender Junior Alonso diverted Thomas Lemar’s dangerous low cross into his own goal.

Leonardo Jardim’s side are three points above reigning champions Paris St-Germain, who have one game left, and have a far superior goal difference.

• Saint-Etienne 0 – 5 Paris Saint Germain

Edinson Cavani scored his 46th and 47th goals in all competitions this season as PSG brushed aside St Etienne 5-0.

Lucas Moura also scored in each half, while Julian Draxler added a last-minute fifth for the Parisiens, whose final game is at Angers next week.

• Nice 0 – 2 Angers

Nice, guaranteed a top-three finish, came unstuck in a 2-0 home defeat to Angers, for whom Cheikh Ndoye was on target in the first half and Karl Toko Ekambi scored deep in stoppage time.

It was the first home defeat for Nice  this season.

• Montpellier 1 – 3 Lyon

Lyon clinched a fourth-placed finish and the last Europa League spot thanks to their 3-1 win at Montpelier.

Nabil Fekir and Alexandre Lacazette gave Lyon a 2-0 half-time lead and although Steve Mounie pulled one back for Montpelier before the break, Lacazette added his second in time added on.

• ​Bordeaux 1 – 1 Marseille

Marseille had harboured hopes of catching Lyon, but they had to settle for a 1-1 draw at Bordeaux, where they trailed to Diego Rolan’s early goal before Bafetimbi Gomis’ second-half equaliser.

• SC Bastia 2 – 0 Lorient

Bastia kept alive their survival hopes heading into the final day next week with a 2-0 home win against relegation rivals Lorient, thanks to late goals from Enzo Crivelli and substitute Gael Danic.

• Dijon 2 – 0 Nancy

Dijon climbed out of the bottom three as they won 2-0 at home against Nancy, who slipped to the foot of the table.

Second-half goals from Frederic Sammaritano and Lois Diony clinched Dijon their second win in 12 league matches and left Nancy needing to win their final game while hoping both Bastia and Lorient lose in order to make the relegation playoff.

• Caen 0 – 1 Rennes

With no team relegated on the penultimate day, Caen are looking anxiously over their shoulders after losing 1-0 at home to Rennes.

Giovanni Sio struck midway through the second half for Rennes and defeat for Caen has left them two points above second-bottom Bastia.

• Metz 1 – 1 Toulouse

Ismaila Sarr fired a second-half equaliser to earn Metz a 1-1 home draw against Toulouse, who had taken an early lead through Martin Braithwaite

• Nantes 4 – 1 Guingamp

Nantes beat Guingamp 4-1 in their last home game of the season.

Adrien Thomasson gave Nantes a first-half lead and second-half goals from Emiliano Sala and Prejuce Nakoulma put them in control.

Lucas Deaux replied for Guincamp, but Sala added his second to secure Nantes’ third win in four matches.

Ligue 1 results

Cheikh N’Doye’s double helped lift Angers up to third place in Ligue 1 following a convincing 3-0 home win against second-placed Monaco.
Senegal international N’Doye struck twice from close range in the 19th and 43rd minutes and Mohamed Yattara sealed victory with a third 10 minutes into the second half.
Angers, promoted at the end of last season, bounced back from last week’s 5-1 thrashing at runaway leaders Paris Saint-Germain to halt a three-game losing run in all competitions and climb to within two points of Monaco, who slipped to their first defeat in 10 league matches.
PSG will bid to extend their 21-point lead at the top on Sunday when they travel south to face St Etienne.

Lyon’s hopes of European football were dealt a blow as Bastia’s Brazilian striker Brandao struck in the second half for a 1-0 win.
Bastia were reduced to 10 men in the 88th minute when defender Gilles Cioni was hown a straight red card for his crude challenge on substitute Clement Grenier.
Lyon trail fourth-placed Rennes by four points, while Bastia — with Francois Ciccolini returning for his second spell as coach — put more daylight between themselves and the relegation zone.

Nantes extended their unbeaten league run to nine matches with a 1-0 win at Troyes, who have yet to win at home in the league this season.
Nantes’ Belgian defender Guillaume Gillet scored the only goal four minutes before the interval.

Lorient defender Zargo Toure struck twice in a 2-0 home win against Reims to secure his side their first win in five league matches .
The Senegalese scored in the 15th and 51st minutes as Reims’ winless run was extended to eight games in all competitions.

Montpellier boosted their relegation fight by snapping a run of four straight defeats in all competitions with their biggest win of the season, 4-0 at GFC Ajaccio.
Montpellier went in two up at the break through Mali striker Mustapha Yatabare and Jonas Martins’ penalty before midfielder Bryan Dabo struck twice in the space of five minutes early in the second half.

Second-bottom Toulouse are now five points from safety after losing 2-1 at home to Guingamp.
Guingamp went ahead through Senegalese midfielder Younousse Sankhare’s 12th-minute opener and although Wissam Ben Yedder (64) equalised from the penalty spot, Jimmy Briand struck a 74th-minute winner for the visitors. Issa Diop was sent off for Toulouse late on.

Marseille 1 – 1Lille
January 31
Angers 3 – 0 Monaco
GFC Ajaccio 0 – 4 Montpellier
Lorient 2 – 0 Reims
SC Bastia 1 – 0 Lyon
Toulouse 1 – 2 Guingamp
Troyes 0 – 1 Nantes