Ligue 1: Monaco bounces back, PSG maintains lead, and Le Havre falls with dignity

Denied a spot in the Champions League Round of 16 by Paris Saint-Germain this week, AS Monaco quickly turned the page in Ligue 1. In the 24th round, Sébastien Pocognoli’s men dominated Angers 2-0 at home, thanks to goals from Folarin Balogun (57th) and Simon Adingra (62nd), who came on at half-time. This victory, their third consecutive in the league, places Monaco in seventh position with renewed momentum: "After a complicated start to 2026, the club is back in the race for Europe stronger than ever."

AS Monaco controlled their match against Angers, completing 697 successful passes, a record for them in Ligue 1 since the 2006-2007 season, demonstrating their dominance and command of the game. After a tight first half where Angers had the only shot on target, Monaco accelerated in the second half to quickly break down the opposition. An effective method to regain confidence after the European disappointment.

On another front, Paris Saint-Germain lived up to expectations by winning 1-0 away at Le Havre. Bradley Barcola opened the scoring for the Parisians in the 37th minute with a precise header from a Lee cross. Despite an excellent defensive performance from Mory Diaw, including a saved penalty against Désiré Doué, Le Havre never managed to equalize. PSG thus extends their lead to four points over Lens at the top of Ligue 1 and builds pressure ahead of their next European challenge: the Champions League Round of 16 against Chelsea.

Incidentally, PSG has officially requested the postponement of their match against FC Nantes, originally scheduled for Matchday 26 (March 13-15), to better prepare for their European double-header on March 11 and 17. The Ligue de Football Professionnel must still approve this request: "FC Nantes has agreed, and the official decision will be announced soon."

For Racing Club de Lens, the league’s steamroller, the high speed has slowed. The Sang et Or settled for a frustrating 1-1 draw in Strasbourg, in the opening match of the 24th round. Leading 0-1 thanks to Joaquin Panichelli (18th), Strasbourg equalized in the second half with a stunning goal from Mamadou Sangaré (62nd). Lens dominated in terms of chances but were let down by a ruthless lack of efficiency. Coach Pierre Sage summed it up: "It was important for us to get a positive result tonight... we’re taking away something reassuring."

Finally, Toulouse is going through a rough patch with the upheld sanction against Aron Dönnum. The Haute-Garonne club has barred its Norwegian international from competition due to poor behavior in the locker room. As a direct consequence, Dönnum will miss the match in Rennes, marking his second consecutive absence. Coach Carles Martinez Novell confirmed: "I fully respect the club’s decision." Despite the sanction, Dönnum trained normally and could return as early as the French Cup quarter-final against Marseille.

In summary, Matchday 24 of Ligue 1 confirmed PSG as a solid leader, Monaco in resurgent form after European elimination, while Lens must manage its setbacks. The championship is heating up as the season nears its climax, where every point will count for European spots and the trophy.

With the next fortnight marked by PSG’s clash with Chelsea and the potential rescheduling of matches, the suspense is at its peak. Europe is giving French clubs no respite, between sporting stakes and logistical calendars.