01/18/26 01:34:00
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01/18 13:32 CST Gary O'Neil leads Strasbourg to 2-1 win over Metz in Ligue 1
debut
Gary O'Neil leads Strasbourg to 2-1 win over Metz in Ligue 1 debut
PARIS (AP) --- Strasbourg new coach Gary O'Neil enjoyed a successful Ligue 1
debut, guiding his team to a 2-1 win over local rival Metz in the French league
on Sunday.
O'Neil, who started his tenure with a comfortable win at a fourth-tier club to
reach the last 16 of the French Cup last weekend, was appointed earlier this
month as a successor to Liam Rosenior, who left for Chelsea.
Strasbourg had failed to win its past five league matches and the win lifted
O'Neil's side to seventh in the standings. Metz remained last, with just 12
points from 18 matches.
Diego Moreira put the hosts in front in the 12th minute but Strasbourg did not
hold onto its lead for long as Gauthier Hein leveled from the spot. Forward
Martial Godo headed home the winner just before the interval.
Rosenior's departure has left fans opposed to the multi-club ownership model
fuming, amid calls for the resignation of president Marc Keller. Strasbourg has
been owned by Chelsea owner BlueCo since 2023. Some Strasbourg fans again
protested the ownership setup on Sunday by deploying hostile banners in the
stadium.
On Saturday, Lens secured a 10th consecutive win across all competitions to
stay atop the Ligue 1 standings. Lens defeated Auxerre 1-0 and remained one
point ahead of defending champion Paris Saint-Germain.
PSG warmed up for its Champions League match at Sporting on Tuesday with a
convincing 3-0 win over Lille on Friday. Third-place Marseille won at mid-table
Angers 5-2 ahead of a Champions League showdown with Liverpool next week.
Paris FC snaps winless run in league
Luca Koleosho's goal in the 78th minute ensured a 2-1 win at struggling Nantes
and snapped a six-match winless run in the league for Paris FC.
The Parisian club, which knocked out Paris Saint-Germain from the French Cup,
dominated the first half against a wasteful home side after Ilan Kebbal broke
the deadlock in the sixth minute. Matthis Abline leveled for Nantes in the 50th
minute. Paris FC climbed to 13th place, five points above Nantes.
Also, Rennes and Le Havre drew 1-1.
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AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
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