France’s Ligue 1 became the first of the so-called Big Five European leagues to start its new season when it kicked off on Friday.
In the first game of the season, 10-man Bordeaux drew 0-0 with Nantes at the Matmut Atlantique in Bordeaux.
On Saturday, veteran Côte d’Ivoire defender Ismael Traore netted the only goal of the game midway through the first half to secure a 1-0 win for Angers away to Dijon.
In Saturday’s other game, 10-man Rennes drew 1-1 away to 10-man Lille at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy in Villeneuve d’Ascq.
Damien da Silva’s equalizer for Rennes cancelled out Jonathan Bamba’s opening goal for the home side.
Mozambican defender Reinildo Mandava was sent off for Lille while Sacha Boey was dismissed for Rennes.
The games were all played with a limited number of spectators as fears about the COVID-19 pandemic still persist. Fans observed health regulations such as social distancing while sitting and wearing face masks.
As a result, Angers are the early league leaders with three points followed by Lille, Bordeaux, Rennes and Nantes respectively, all with one point. Dijon is bottom of the table with no points.
France was also the first and only of the Big Five leagues to cancel its season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The decision was arrived at in April after French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe banned sporting events from taking place until August.
Champions League finalists Paris Saint-Germain were awarded the title while Amiens and Toulouse were relegated to Ligue 2.
