Terem Moffi makes it into the Ligue 1 team of the week alongside some global superstars
The biggest takeaway from gameweek 25 was PSG beating Marseille at the Velodrome, thanks to inspired performances from Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe, as well as a first Nice goal for Terem Moffi. But which of them made the PulseSports XI for Ligue 1 this game week? Keep reading to find out.
Goalkeeper: Steve Mandanda — Nantes vs (Rennes)
Nantes had 2.77xG and created five big chances against Rennes and finished the match with zero goals. The reason? Mandanda.
The Frenchman made seven saves as he almost singlehandedly kept Rennes in the game despite their hosts' constant pressure.
Centre-back: Alexsandro Ribeiro — (Lille) vs Brest
Alexsandro Ribeiro had a superb game against Brest and was undoubtedly the man of the match, making critical contributions at both ends of the pitch.
Ribiero made five defensive actions and won 100% of his aerial and ground duels as well. Not satisfied with that, Ribiero then went on to score the winning goal as Lille won 2-1.
Centre-back: Rayan Raveloson — Lorient vs (Auxerre)
We have another goalscoring centre-back in Auxerre’s Malagasy Rayan Raveloson, who also scored his team’s winning goal against Lorient and also helped them to a clean sheet as well.
Centre-back: Yunis Abdelhamid — (Reims) vs Toulouse
A better performance by a defender in Ligue 1 game week 25 does not exist outside of Reims’ Yunis Abdelhamid.
The Moroccan defender made eight clearances for Reims against Toulouse, as well as three successful tackles and two interceptions, to help Reims to a fourth consecutive clean sheet in the league.
He also popped up at the other end of the pitch to score Reims’ third goal with a brilliant header from a corner kick.
Left-midfield: Youcef Belaïli — (Ajaccio) vs Troyes
Algerian midfielder Youcef Belaili was the best player on the pitch as Ajaccio ended their three-match losing streak with a 2-1 win over Troyes.
Belaili scored Ajaccio’s equaliser from the spot, and was the creative hub of the team, dishing out six key passes and creating a big chance as Ajaccio battled to a 1-0 win.
Centre-midfield: Khephren Thuram — Monaco vs (Nice)
All the transfer talk might centre around Marcus Thuram, but his brother Khephren has been quietly impressive all season for Nice as well.
He dropped yet another eye-catching performance and capped it off with a goal and a wonderful assist for Terem Moffi for Nice’s second goal.
Right-midfield: Junya Ito — (Reims) vs Toulouse
Reims’ Japanese midfielder Junya Ito was on a different level from everyone else on the pitch in the 3-0 win over Toulouse.
Ito was involved in all three goals, as he opened the scoring with a brilliant finish following a brilliant piece of skill and a dainty feint, and then assisted Reims’ second and third goals of the match.
He was a menace to the Toulouse defence throughout the match, completing eight of his nine attempted dribbles and creating four chances for his teammates in total.
Attacking midfield: Lionel Messi — Marseille vs (PSG)
Messi narrowly missed out on last week’s TOTW and made it his personal objective to get in this week with a monstrous performance in one of the most important matches of PSG’s season.
Messi was immense at the Velodrome, as he supplied two assists and scored a third as PSG romped to a 3-0 win over Marseille. Messi created three big chances in the game and could have had a second goal as well with better luck, instead, seeing his effort come back off the woodwork.
Left-wing: Kylian Mbappe — Marseille vs (PSG)
Messi was not the only top performer in PSG’s thrashing of Marseille, as Kylian Mbappe caused major problems for the PSG backline, dragging them out of place with his direct running and positioning.
He scored twice, getting on the end of Messi’s two assists before assisting the Argentine for his goal as well. His exploits against Marseille puts him in the TOTW for the second week running
Centre-forward: Terem Moffi — Monaco vs (Nice)
Super Eagles’ forward Terem Moffi finally got off the mark for new club Nice, and he did so in style with a brilliant brace away to Monaco and also added an assist to boot.
Moffi proved to be excellent on the counter for Nice as he beat Monaco’s offside trap twice to score two superb goals that bore a great resemblance to each other.
A superb outing for the Super Eagle, who was clearly overjoyed to finally score goals for Nice.
Right-wing: Jeremy Doku — Nantes vs (Rennes)
Jeremy Doku was the match-winner for Rennes away to Nantes and gave a superb performance in under an hour.
Nantes could probably count themselves lucky that Doku only played 56 minutes because in that time he was able to score one of the goals of the season, complete five of six attempted dribbles, and created two chances as well.
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