FC Lorient have opened their French Ligue 1 campaign with a 1-0 win against Stade Rennais FC at Roazhon Park on Sunday.
However, there were wins for RC Lens, LOSC Lille, and Montpellier Hérault SC in the early games of the day.
Their new-look back line couldn’t stop Lorient from scoring in the 65th, with Belgian prospect Arthur Theate conceding an own goal.
After the departure of Nayef Aguerd to West Ham, Rennes was also without Warmed Omari, who was injured. Theate paired with new signing, Welsh international Joe Rodon.
Steve Mandanda, who arrived from Olympique de Marseille, completed the three new faces on the backline.
Unfortunately, Gaëtan Laborde, Martin Terrier, and Benjamin Bourigeaud failed to impress as they so often did last season.
Theate, who joined Rennes from Bologna, was trying to prevent a Gédéon Kalulu cross from the right from reaching Terem Moffi in the area, but the ball went over Mandanda and into his own goal after sticking his leg.
Rennes, during their search for equaliser, almost conceded with Armand Laurienté striking the post from a tight angle.
They couldn’t move past Yvon Mvogo, who is in impressive form. He helped Lorient hold on for a fine victory to start the campaign.
A hat trick from Florian Sotoca helped RC Lens begin the campaign with a 3-2 win over Stade Brestois 29 at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis.
Sotoca opened the goal account before the half-hour mark. He got his brace when he headed in a Przemysław Frankowski’s corner just after the hour mark. He later lobbed the goalie in style to make it 3-0. He is now the first Lens player to score a top-flight hat-trick since Toifilou Maoulida in April 2010.
Brest reduced the deficit through Haris Belkebla’s deflected strike deflected Kevin Danso. The visitors further reduced the deficit by a single goal through a late Romain Del Castillo penalty but held on for an important win.
In another development, LOSC Lille also recorded an emphatic win in their first game under new coach Paulo Fonseca as they crushed AJ Auxerre 4-1.
Benjamin André opened the goals account inside 40 seconds, and Jonathan David picked his spot to make it 2-0 in the third minute.
David got his brace before halftime after being set up by Rémy Cabella. Summer signing Akim Zedadka made it four for the hosts in the second half.
Gaëtan Charbonnier got a consolation for the visitors in their first top-flight game in a decade.
Montpellier also won their opening game of the season for the first time since 2017 as they defeated ESTAC Troyes 3-2 at the Stade de la Mosson.
The host opened the scoring in the third minute when Faitout Maouassa crossed for Théo Sainte-Luce.
Florian Tardieu equalised for the visitors from a 12th-minute penalty.
The host quickly restored their lead through Téji Savanier three minutes later.
Troyes drew level again two minutes later via an emphatic finish by Mama Baldé.
Montpellier eventually had the last laugh as Savanier struck the winner nine minutes from time with a floating first-time shot from the edge of the area.
Written by: Oladipupo Mojeed
