The Ligue 1 starts off with a bang, or should I say two?

By Ulysse Pasquier, writing from Montreal

Although the level of play in France might not be as high as in the Premier League or La Liga, I’ve always thought “la Ligue 1” had some of the most exciting seasons in European football. Even during Lyon’s 7-year dominance, the title race has often been very intense until the last fixtures and fought between 4 or more teams, while that is rarely the case in England or Spain. This weekend were played the first matches of the 2010-11 season in France, and they did not disappoint.

Champions last year, Marseille were shockingly beaten 1-2 at home by newly-promoted side Caen. What was even more surprising is the fact that Caen actually dominated the game and came out with a deserved victory over an OM side which looked particularly weak defensively without Souleymane Diawara and Gabriel Heinze.

Surprises did not end there as Bordeaux, champions in 2008-09, were also unable to get a single point as they fell 1-0 to Montpellier on Sunday. Many questions are being raised about the Girondins side after a dreadful end of season last year and losing Laurent Blanc to the French national team. Blanc had brought Bordeaux their first Ligue 1 title in 10 years and their new manager, Jean Tigana, will have much to do to bounce back from this first loss.

Some may therefore argue that this result was logical as Montpellier had a great season last year after being promoted from Ligue 2 and finishing 5th, ahead of Bordeaux. It is however difficult to say if Rene Girard’s team will be able to relive their exploits as they started the season with a hit to the face, being eliminated of the Europa League to Hungarian side Gyor in the third preliminary round.

Elsewhere, Lyon were also disappointing in a 0-0 draw against Monaco, and failed to capitalize on Marseille’s slip up. Although I personally consider OL to be favorites this year, they will have to do better than they did against a brave Monaco team. Lyon may even have tasted defeat if not for Hugo Lloris, their best player by far on Saturday night.

Here is a round up of the action in France this weekend:

Auxerre 2 (19’ Pedretti; 58’ Le Tallec) - 2 (7’ Diarra; 68’ Mvuemba) Lorient
Lens 1 (72’ Maoulida) - 2 (27’ Feret; 83’ Berenguer) Nancy
Lyon 0 - 0 Monaco
Marseille 1 (77’ Samassa) - 2 (52’ Seube; 85’ El Arabi) Caen
Nice 0 - 0 Valenciennes
Paris Saint-German 3 (4’ Erding; 41’ Janot[og]; 83’ Nené) - 1 (Payet) Saint-Etienne
Rennes 1 (24’ Bangoura) - 1 (62’ Sow) Lille
Sochaux 2 (17’ Butin; 54’ Faty) - 1 (10’ Dja Djedje) Arles-Avignon
Toulouse 2 (36’ Braaten; 85’ Machado) - 0 Brest
Montpellier 1 (47’ Bocaly) - 0 Bordeaux

So, who is your favorite to win the Ligue 1 this year?