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After a brilliant performance against PSG, Monaco's Ben Yedder headlines our team of the week
Few players could touch the hem of Wissam Ben Yedder’s garment this weekend as he tore Paris Saint-Germain to shreds so he understandably headlines Pulsesports’ team of the week, but what other players were impressive enough to make the XI?
Goalkeeper - Matz Sels Lille vs (Strasbourg)
It is not often you see a player on the losing side make the team of the week, but no other goalkeeper deserves this spot more than Strasbourg’s Matz Sels, despite his team going down 2-0 to Lille.
But for Sels, the scoreline could easily have been a blowout to Lille who created seven big chances but were constantly repelled by Strasbourg’s goalkeeper.
Sels made eight saves in total, which were all from shots from inside his penalty area and included saves from no less than five big chances.
Left-back - Issiaga Sylla (Montpellier) vs Brest
Guinean full-back Issiaga Sylla had a brilliant time against Brest in Montpellier’s convincing 3-0 win. He epitomised the role of a modern full-back, covering every blade of grass and contributing at both ends of the pitch.
He finished the game with one clearance, four interceptions, and won all of his four attempted tackles without being beaten once, and still managed to create two scoring chances for his teammates—a busy day at the office for one of Africa’s finest.
Centre-back - Dante (Nice) vs Ajaccio
Dante scored the first goal of game week 23 in Ligue 1 with a sweet volley to give Nice the lead against Ajaccio.
He did not stop at just the goal as he also played a pivotal part in Nice controlling the game, registering a game-high 152 touches and completing 134 passes with a 94% accuracy as he helped Les Aiglons play out from the back efficiently.
Centre-back - Younis Abdelhamid (Reims) vs Troyes
Younis Albelhamid did his best impression of an impregnable force field when Reims faced Troyes in game week 23 of Ligue 1, with the defender proving to be a nut too hard to crack as Reims ran out 3-0 winners.
His superb reading of the game and superiority duels stood him out as one of the best players on the pitch. He made five clearances, won two tackles and made two interceptions, while also winning five of seven ground duels in the contest.
Right-back Fabien Centonze (Nantes vs Lorient)
Fabien Centonze was in inspired form for Nantes in their hard-fought 1-0 win over Lorient and would be many people’s choice for Man of the Match in the win despite Ludovic Blas’ brilliant goal.
There would not have been a win to celebrate if Centonze did not deny Lorient’s Bamba Dieng with a goal-line clearance late in the game to keep the score at 1-0 and secure all three points for Nantes.
He also completed five tackles during the game to help Nantes to a fifth clean sheet in six Ligue 1 games, and still had time to create a clear-cut chance at the other end for his team as well.
Defensive midfielder - Marshall Munetsi (Reims) vs Troyes
Marshall Muetsi only played an hour in Reims’ 4-0 thrashing of Troyes, but boy what an hour it was.
The Zimbabwean midfielder was a constant thorn in the side of Troyes and finished the game with a goal and assist after opening the scoring and creating an assist for Myziane Maolida’s goal all before halftime.
He also managed to register five defensive interventions as he played his part in Reims' eighth Ligue 1 clean sheet.
Defensive midfielder - Maxence Caqueret (Lyon) vs Lens
The Lyon midfielder was unplayable against title hopefuls Lens and was one of Lyon’s best players, only outdone perhaps by Rayan Cherki on the night.
Caqueret delivered a masterclass in midfield, winning seven tackles out of eight attempted, making three interceptions and also assisting Lyon’s winning goal halfway through the second half.
He also registered the second-most touches of any Lyon player and made the second-most passes on the night for Les Gones as well.
Attacking Midfielder - Alexis Flips (Reims) vs Troyes
Troyes suffered in a 4-0 loss against Reims, and their tormentor-in-chief was Alexis Flips. The 23-year-old French winger was devastatingly good on the night and assisted two of Reims’ goals after creating two of the best chances in the game.
His assist for Folarin Balogun’s goal to make it 3-0 was especially impressive, and he will not soon be forgotten by the Troyes players.
Attacking midfielder - Alexis Sanchez Clermont vs (Marseille)
Alexis Sanchez played as a false nine for Marseille and was easily the best player in their 2-0 win over Clermont, which has moved them within five points of Paris Saint-Germain at the top of Ligue 1.
He scored both of Marseille’s goals, from the penalty spot after a Clermont handball, and the second late in the game to seal the win with a header following up on his own effort, which initially hit the crossbar.
Attacking midfielder - Zakaria Aboukhlal (Toulouse) vs Rennes
Moroccan forward Zakaria Aboukhlal deserves plaudits for his performance against Rennes and wins his spot in the team of the week after an exceptional game for Les Violets.
He scored Toulouse’s second goal after profiting from a loose ball in the area and then assisted Toulouse’s third goal after a brilliant run from within his own half to round put his team 3-0 up against Rennes.
Centre-forward - Wissam Ben Yedder (Monaco) vs PSG
Paris Saint-Germain had a torrid time dealing with our Player of the Week, Wissam Ben Yedder, who absolutely tore the team to shreds with one of his best performances ever in a Monaco shirt.
Ben Yedder got a lot of praise for his brace against the league leaders, but his all-round game was magnificent. He assisted Monaco’s opening goal before scoring two himself, and also completed three of four attempted dribbles while creating two big chances in the match.
At 32 years old, it takes a truly special player to pull off a performance like that against the supposed best team in the land.
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