Paris (AFP)

AS Monaco raised the bar on Sunday by bringing back from Troyes (2-1) its first victory of the season in Ligue 1, during a 4th day marked by the first place of Angers and pending the debut of Lionel Messi with the PSG in the evening.

The arrival of the Argentinian superstar in Reims, as holder or replacement at the kick-off (8:45 p.m.), certainly attracts all eyes.

But the round ball did not stop so far in the afternoon, and there was a spectacle.

Like Monaco, Strasbourg was given air with a first success against Brest (3-1).

Clermont erased the two goals ahead of Metz (2-2), Lens tore off to catch Lorient (2-2) and Angers climbed to the top of the L1 by taming Rennes (2-0) !

The SCO is thrilled with ten points, one less than the Parisian leader while waiting for the last match of the day.

Angers striker Mohamed-Ali Cho (l) against Rennes defender Birger Meling, August 29, 2021 in Angers Jean-Francois MONIER AFP

Just summoned with the French Hopes, the very precocious Mohamed-Ali Cho (17) extended the Angevin party (88th, 2-0) launched in the second half by Sofiane Boufal (57th) after a mess of the Rennes defense.

- Clermont on the podium -

With character, Clermont climbed on the podium thanks to the point of the draw obtained against Metz.

The promoted Auvergne, still undefeated in the top flight, recovered a handicap of two goals inflicted by the visitors after only half an hour.

At home in Gabriel-Montpied, the team led by Pascal Gastien managed to equalize in the second half thanks to the third goal in four games of the Kosovar striker Elbasan Rashani, the good pick of the recruitment.

Clermont striker Jodel Dossou (l) against Metz defender Matthieu Udol, August 29, 2021 in Clermont-Ferrand THIERRY ZOCCOLAN AFP

For the other promoted, Troyes, it is the soup to the grimace despite the good intentions displayed against Monaco.

"When you only take one point in four matches, it's because you don't deserve more," reacted the coach of the current red lantern, Laurent Batlles.

The Monegasques find themselves smiling just before the international break thanks to a double from young midfielder Sofiane Diop (40th and 58th).

What to mitigate somewhat the catastrophic start in Ligue 1 and the cruel elimination experienced Wednesday in the return dam of the Champions League, in overtime against Donetsk.

"We did not play such good football as against Shakhtar but the players showed their + fighting spirit + today. It is when we fight for each other that we can win and I hope that 'We are going to build on that, "said coach Niko Kovac.

At the resumption, on September 12, ASM will put this ambition to the test of OM, attractive winner of Saint-Etienne (3-1) on Saturday and next visitor of Louis-II.

Lensois defender Jonathan Clauss has just scored against Lorient, August 29, 2021 in Lens FRANCOIS LO PRESTI AFP

In the standings, Marseille is followed by Lens, jostled by Lorient but encouraged to the end by a boiling hot Bollaert stadium.

Led at the break, despite the opening scoring from Jonathan Clauss on a free kick, the Sang et Or avoided defeat thanks to a nice movement from Seko Fofana, scorer with a pivot end in the 70th minute.

© 2021 AFP