Ligue 1 matchday 17: Gasset tribute, Coulibaly red, Lille anger, Thomasson reaches 50 assists | OneFootball

Le Progres reports that Ligue 1's 17th round returned amid tension. Flashpoints included Mamadou Coulibaly's lunge on Nicolas Tagliafico, a heartfelt farewell to Jean-Louis Gasset in Marseille, Lille's fury, Adrien Thomasson's landmark and a tightening relegation fight.

At the Vélodrome, supporters unveiled a large tifo and a minute's silence honoured Gasset, who died aged 72 on 26 December. After his short 2024 stint, he remained popular, but Roberto De Zerbi's side fell 2-0 to Nantes.

Referee Jérôme Brisard dismissed Monaco midfielder Coulibaly on 70 minutes without VAR after a reckless tackle on Tagliafico. With injuries already biting in midfield, Monaco could ill afford it, and Lyon won 3-1.

Lille lost 2-0 to Rennes after Alexsandro was sent off by Eric Wattelier in the 13th minute. Players and their coach angrily confronted the officials, and president Olivier Létang also challenged the referee at half-time, calling the decision a shame and a scandal.

Results: Toulouse 0-3 Lens, Monaco 1-3 Lyon, Nice 1-1 Strasbourg, Lille 0-2 Rennes, Marseille 0-2 Nantes, Brest 2-0 Auxerre, Lorient 1-1 Metz, Le Havre 2-1 Angers, Paris SG 2-1 Paris FC.

Adrien Thomasson joined the select group of players with at least 50 Ligue 1 assists in the last 20 years. The Evian academy graduate, formerly of Strasbourg, continues to make his mark.

At the halfway point, the survival race is wide open. Le Havre beat a direct rival, and Lorient and Metz shared the points, setting up a tense fight.

Source: Le Progres