Team of Week 33: Saves by the Gallon, all-African defence, Nordin destroys Monaco

Ligue 1 action this week saw Monaco and Paris Saint-Germain suffer shock home defeats, as well as a goalkeeping performance for the ages. Here are the most impressive performers in France’s top flight.

Gauthier Gallon (Troyes) 

Despite firing off an eye-watering 30 shots and creating six big chances, Nice only won 1-0 away at Troyes. The sole reason for that: Gauthier Gallon. The Troyes stopper was in inspired form: the visitors racking up 4.16 worth of xGoT, but hit a brick wall each time. The 30-year-old made 11 saves, seven of them from inside the box, including two huge ones from headers by Pablo Rosario and substitute Ross Barkley. Mammoth display.

Issa Kabore (Marseille) 

Not a sterling week for Ligue 1 right-backs, in all honesty. Burkina Faso international Issa Kabore came off at the break in Marseille’s win over Auxerre, but only after acquitting himself admirably; it was ultimately Igor Tudor’s desire to go more attacking that saw him withdrawn. No bother: he still won four duels, three tackles and made five ball recoveries. He also created two chances from crossing situations. A solid shift, in all. 

Kiki Kouyate (Montpelier)

Say what you will about Monaco, but they at least pack firepower going forward. As such, keeping them quiet deserves no end of credit. Kiki Kouyate led the Montpelier back line with distinction, holding the league’s second-highest scorers to nil on their own turf. The Mali international was excellent in the air, winning all his aerial engagements and making eight clearances in all, while also being unbeatable in the tackle. 

Emmanuel Agbadou (Reims) 

Reims were on the wrong end of a one-goal reverse at Clermont, but at the back Emmanuel Agbadou was superb. No one completed more passes than the 25-year-old Cote d’Ivoire international, who was also impeccable in the tackle (four attempted) and expansive in his distribution. In addition to 17 ball recoveries, Agbadou won nine of 13 duels to boot – the portrait of a dominant, all-round display.

Darline Yongwa (Lorient)

Lorient had a golden opportunity handed to them by the early expulsion of Achraf Hakimi, and they did not hesitate to take advantage. In beating the reigning champions 3-1, Darline Yongwa scored his first-ever goal for the club, but that was not all the Cameroonian did well. The 22-year-old also created two big chances, all the while minding affairs at the back: he won nine duels and three of four tackles to boot.

Andre Gomes (Lille)

It’s difficult to look past two goals of such outrageous quality. Former Everton man Andre Gomes struck a brace of supreme technical quality to take the game away from visiting Ajaccio, earning a place in the team this week. He also shone with his distribution, ball carrying and tenacity without the ball (he won six of seven duels and made four ball recoveries in all).

Hicham Boudaoui (Nice)

The mere fact that he was the only one who snuck something past Gallon counts for something! Seriously though, this was a strong showing from Hicham Boudaoui, who held it down at the base of the Nice midfield, retaining possession (98 passes attempted with a 95% completion rate) and setting the tempo with supreme authority. He also won six of eight duels, a testament to his aptitude in a scrap.

Remy Cabella (Lille)

At the heart of Lille’s cool 3-0 dusting of Ajaccio lay Remy Cabella, who ran the show. The 33-year-old scored himself, finishing off Jonathan Bamba’s cut-back, but only after more or less deciding the game with two gorgeous flicked assists for Andre Gomes. He may be long in the tooth these days, but the Corsican wizard retains his ability to thrill.

Arnaud Nordin (Montpelier)

Montpelier’s demolition of Monaco at Stade Louis II was the shock result of the weekend, hands down. At the front of the assault was Arnaud Nordin, who destroyed the hosts in every conceivable way. Not only did he score twice – both finishes that suggested the hapless Caio Henrique had never played against a left-footed winger before – but he also created two big chances, completed three of five dribbles and hit the target with four of his five attempts.

Grejohn Kyei (Clermont)

Another difficult position to pick for this week due to a lack of outstanding performances. Opted for French-Ghanaian Grejohn Kyei, whose goal delivered three points for Clermont against Reims in a curious game: plenty of chances and shots, but only one goal in it. The 27-year-old also battled well, winning nine duels and two tackles while ploughing a bit of a lone furrow upfront, leading the line admirably.

Amine Gouiri (Rennes)

There are few sides more entertaining to watch in Ligue 1 than Rennes, a fact that was writ large in their 4-2 win over relegated Angers. Amine Gouiri opened the scoring, before assisting Jeremy Doku (who could have gotten into this team himself) for the go-ahead foal after the interval. The 23-year-old shone with his efficient incisiveness, but also for his intensity: he won three tackles and seven duels as well.