Goal.com picks out the best players on show following the completion of Round 31 of Ligue 1
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Ligue 1 Team Of The Week: Round 31 Table/Results |
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| GOALKEEPER |
Pierrick CROS
Sochaux
TOTW Apps: 1
Sochaux's Cros makes his debut in Team of the Week (TOTW) with a superb showing in les Lionceaux's 2-1 defeat away to leaders Montpellier. Forced to start after an injury to stand-in goalkeeper Teddy Richert, the 20-year-old was instrumental, denying the league leaders a number of goals with a string of saves. Was unlucky to be beaten twice - both after making initial blocks - but the youngster's potential was there for all to see. |
| DEFENDERS |
 Renato CIVELLI Nice TOTW Apps: 3 |
 ALEX PSG TOTW Apps: 2 |
 Cesar AZPILICUETA Marseille TOTW Apps: 3 |
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| Civelli makes the grade once more, this time for his third appearance in the Best XI after impressing in Nice's 2-0 win over Lorient, a result which boosted their chances of survival. Civelli aided his side's cause with a well-taken goal, and limiting Lorient's chances with solid defending. PSG's Alex joins the team after an inspiring performance where he was arguably Man of the Match in the club's 2-1 win over bitter rivals Marseille in the Clasico on Sunday. He restored his side's advantage with a fine header less than 30 seconds after OM had equalised. A good game all round for the Brazilian. Azpilicueta equally impressed in the same match as he was OM's only consistent performer in an otherwise wretched run for Didier Deschamps' men. Unusually deployed on the left due to Jeremy Morel's poor form, the Spaniard coped admirably, cutting open the PSG defence time and again, only to be limited by woeful finishing. Had a hand in OM's goal. |
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| MIDFIELDERS |
 Jeremy MENEZ PSG TOTW Apps: 2 |
 Bruno GROUGI Brest TOTW Apps: 1 |
 Kim KALLSTROM Lyon TOTW Apps: 1 |
 Nicholas SEUBE Caen TOTW Apps: 1 |
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| Menez was undoubtedly the difference as a previously lacklustre PSG downed rivals Marseille 2-1 at the Parc des Princes. Menez scored the opening goal with a neat finish, and provided a threat to the OM back line which they couldn't handle at times. An impressive game from the ex-Roma winger. Grougi makes the grade for the very first time this season as Brest downed champions Lille 3-1 in impressive fashion on Saturday. Grougi scored one of the goals, as he contributed to a dominating midfield that stifled Eden Hazard & Co. Kallstrom played a major part in Lyon's 2-1 win over Auxerre, a result which saw them move to within touching distance of Lille in third. The Sweden international was a real threat in midfield, and after a good run of form of late, a place in the TOTW was largely deserved. Caen captain Seube also makes the grade for the first time after leading with example in Caen's 1-0 win over Bordeaux on Saturday. Seube marshalled his midfield well, as les Malherbes ultimately benefited with all three points. |
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 Younes BELHANDA Montpellier TOTW Apps: 3 |
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| Belhanda was the ultimate star in Montpellier's 2-1 win over Sochaux, which had initially moved them clear of PSG on Saturday. The Morocco international was deadly, and should have had more than the one goal he scored at the Stade de la Mosson. Linked with various European clubs of late, the 22-year-old's recent good form has earned him more than a few admirers. |
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| FORWARDS |
 Bakaye TRAORE Nancy TOTW Apps: 1 |
 Lisandro LOPEZ Lyon TOTW Apps: 3 |
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Traore is moving into the limelight as he leads the charge after Nancy secured an unprecedented fifth win in six to move to within a point of the top half. After a great performance against PSG last weekend, he bettered his own tally with a double against Dijon, and earned a few glances from AC Milan. Rounding off the TOTW for Round 31 is Lyon's Lisandro, who again was the main instigator as les Gones carved out another league win. The Argentine scored both goals from the penalty spot to leave Remi Garde's side with more than a fighting chance of qualifying for next season's Champions League. |
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Ligue 1 Team of the Week: Round 29 - Hazard steals the show again as Giroud makes a seventh appearance
