Paris Saint-Germain's stumble on the Côte d'Azur presented Olympique de Marseille with a gilt-edged opportunity to seize the initiative in the Ligue 1 title race. Yet, in a dramatic twist, Marseille conceded a 94th-minute equaliser at home to Toulouse, squandering the chance to leapfrog their rivals and allowing RC Lens to sneak to the summit.
PSG's 'Very Bad Night' in Monaco
Luis Enrique did not mince his words after his Paris Saint-Germain side produced a "worst match of the season" in a 1-0 defeat at AS Monaco. The Spanish coach labelled it a "very bad night" for a flat and lethargic team that created precious little at the Stade Louis II.
The match's narrative could have shifted dramatically early on when Monaco's Lamine Camara escaped with only a yellow card for a dangerous lunge on PSG's Lucas Chevalier. The French international later admitted his "career could have taken a turn" and considered himself "lucky" to stay on the pitch.
Takumi Minamino's second-half strike proved decisive, even though Monaco's Thilo Kehrer saw red with ten minutes remaining. PSG failed to muster a response, leaving them with a concerning lack of goals from their forward line, though the result felt like a simple off-night.
Marseille's Costly Late Collapse
Buoyed by PSG's defeat, the stage was set for Marseille to claim top spot with a win over a depleted Toulouse side. Fresh from a 5-1 demolition of Nice and a Champions League comeback against Newcastle, confidence was high at the Vélodrome.
However, manager Roberto De Zerbi conceded his team "aren't yet ready" for the rigours of three games a week. They fell behind early to an Emersonn strike before rallying in the second half with goals from Igor Paixão and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg to lead 2-1.
With the clock ticking into the 94th minute, a stunning long throw from Mark McKenzie found Santiago Hidalgo, who looped a header over a stranded Gerónimo Rulli to snatch a 2-2 draw. It was a devastating blow that De Zerbi admitted "really hurts," echoing painful late concessions against Angers earlier in the season.
Lens Seize the Initiative as Belief Wavers
While the traditional heavyweights faltered, RC Lens quietly moved to the top of Ligue 1 with a 2-1 victory at Angers. Manager Pierre Sage, who recently discussed securing the 35-point safety mark, now finds his side on 31 points and ahead of schedule.
Despite their position, Sage refuses to be drawn into title talk, insisting the club is "comfortable" with their progress and focused on survival. This lack of outward belief, combined with Marseille's psychological setback, means PSG's damaging defeat in Monaco ultimately left them almost unscathed in the title race.
The weekend's drama underscores the unpredictable nature of the French top flight. Marseille's headline wins over PSG and Nice will mean little if they cannot consistently dispatch mid-table opponents, while Lens' unexpected charge adds a fascinating new dimension to the championship battle.
