Ligue 1: PSG struggles against Nice, Marseille returns to winning ways, and Toulouse-Le Havre, the set-piece specialists' duel

After a highly animated midweek episode, Ligue 1’s 11th matchday delivered another round of emotions this weekend. Paris Saint-Germain, the league leader, fought hard to secure a win over Nice (final score unspecified), snatching victory in the dying moments at the Parc des Princes. Despite dominating the first half, PSG was occasionally exposed to Nice’s rare long-range counters. A late goal from Ramos sealed the match, relieving the Parisians, who now turn their focus to their upcoming European clash against Bayern.

Marseille regains confidence at Auxerre

Marseille returned to winning ways at Auxerre (1-0), delivering the bare minimum but securing a crucial confidence boost. Angel Gomes scored the only goal from an Amir Murillo cross (30th minute). Reduced to 10 men after Ulisses Garcia’s red card (65th minute), OM held firm defensively, recording a clean sheet for the first time since early October. With several key players injured and a reshuffled squad, Roberto De Zerbi’s side addressed recent defensive frailties through disciplined organization and decisive saves from Geronimo Rulli. This win solidifies Marseille’s second-place standing, just two points behind PSG.

Toulouse and Le Havre, the set-piece kings

The highlight of Matchday 11 is the duel between Toulouse and Le Havre, Ligue 1’s undisputed set-piece specialists this season. Both teams have scored 18 goals from set pieces in 2025, accounting for 40.9% and 43.9% of their total goals, respectively. Their mastery of these critical phases has been pivotal in securing vital points—Toulouse achieved its best league finish in over a decade last season, while Le Havre pulled off a heroic survival.

Toulouse relies on variety, employing long throws and key players like Charlie Cresswell and Aron Dönnum, whereas Le Havre, led by Abdoulaye Touré (6 penalties) and Issa Soumaré (4 set-piece goals), often strikes in stoppage time. This clash promises a tactical battle centered on their shared strength.

Key fixture: Strasbourg at Rennes

Strasbourg travels to Rennes to build on its positive momentum following a win over Auxerre. The Racing Club aims to close the gap on Marseille and sit just two points behind PSG. Stade Rennais, missing some key results, will welcome back influential players like Fofana and Blas to chase a much-needed victory and ease pressure on manager Habib Beye. This match carries significant mid-table implications.

TV broadcast: New ways to watch Ligue 1

For the 2025-2026 season, most Ligue 1 matches are broadcast on the official Ligue 1 + channel, available for €14.99/month, covering seven out of eight games per matchday. The marquee Saturday fixture remains on beIN Sports (€15/month). To access all matches, fans will need a combined budget of around €30/month, deemed competitive compared to past offerings like DAZN.

Matchday 11 in Ligue 1 has proven rich in strategic results and tactical battles across multiple stadiums. While PSG maintains its lead despite struggles, Marseille regains form, and Toulouse and Le Havre leverage their set-piece prowess to disrupt the league. The suspense continues as the European break looms large.