The Ligue 1 Round 4 Team of the Week is here, built in a tidy 4-5-1. It leans on one outstanding goalkeeper, a balanced back four, a hard‑running midfield and a single finisher who made his best chance count. All selections are based on match data and performance impact, with Sofascore Rating used as supporting context. For full standings, fixtures and more numbers, explore the Ligue 1 page on Sofascore.

Safe hands set the tone

Matvey Safonov anchored this week’s XI with a clean sheet in Brest 0-1 PSG. He produced 6 saves, including 4 from inside the box, and posted 1.62 goals prevented, the best indicator of his shot-stopping impact. He added 4 clearances and 8 ball recoveries, plus a composed 2-from-2 on sweeper actions outside his area. One high punch and an aerial duel won rounded off a complete goalkeeping display. His distribution was tidy enough when asked, with 13 accurate passes, most in PSG’s half under pressure. PSG needed control late on, and his handling never wavered. This was a high-difficulty shift that directly preserved three points. His Sofascore Rating of 9.3 reflects elite value in a one-goal win.

Back four that stayed busy and brave

Tiago Santos delivered both ways as Lille beat Troyes 2-0. The right-back scored from 2 shots, hit the target once and contributed 5 clearances, 1 interception and 1 tackle. He won 5 duels, recovered 9 balls and completed 51 of 58 passes to keep Lille on the front foot, adding 10.19 km of work and eight sprints for good measure. His Sofascore Rating came in at 8.0, supported first by the goal, then by the defensive volume.

Christ Makosso was immense in Auxerre’s 1-0 win over Nice. He stacked 11 clearances, 4 interceptions and a block, and won 5 duels with 3 aerials. In attack he created 2 big chances and delivered the assist, a rare defender’s double swing that decided a tight game. His 7.8 Sofascore Rating mirrors a classic center-back performance with a match-winning pass.

Youssouf Ndayishimiye didn’t get the result, but his numbers were outstanding for Nice. He completed 117 of 129 passes, made 6 clearances, produced 2 blocks and even cleared one off the line. He won 7 duels and 4 aerials to keep Auxerre’s lead under constant review. His 8.1 Sofascore Rating was fueled by control and last-ditch interventions.

Niels Nkounkou rounded out the back line with a high-activity outing. He tallied 3 tackles, 2 interceptions and a block, plus a goal-line clearance that kept Nice within reach. Going forward he sent in 4 crosses and won five duels, while surviving a demanding flank battle. A 7.7 Sofascore Rating supports his mix of recovery speed and timing.

Central engines drive the comeback and control

Cristian Cásseres Jr. headlined the midfield in Lorient 2-2 Toulouse with two assists and 5 key passes. He completed 121 of 133 passes, recovered 9 balls and won 5 of 6 tackles, blending creativity and steel. His 155 touches show how often Toulouse funneled play through him, and he added 11.82 km off the ball to help lock down midfield spaces. With a team-high expected assists mark of 0.72, he was the clear chance supplier. His Sofascore Rating of 9.0 matched the eye test.

Branco Van den Boomen controlled Angers’ 0-0 at Le Havre from deep. He completed 57 of 65 passes with 14 of 17 long balls accurate, constantly switching play and breaking lines. He added 2 successful tackles, 3 recoveries and 2 accurate crosses from nine attempts. The Dutchman’s tempo-setting and range limited Le Havre’s press and kept Angers in good areas. His 8.0 Sofascore Rating was powered by elite distribution.

Creative sparks who kept the ball moving

Ilan Kebbal was Paris FC’s catalyst in the 0-0 with Lyon. He completed 34 of 42 passes, posted 0.30 expected assists and carried the ball 22 times for 268 meters. He won 8 duels, drew 5 fouls and chipped in with 2 tackles and an interception. A shot on target kept Lyon’s back line honest. His 8.2 Sofascore Rating captured steady chance creation and territorial gains.

Kévin Danois covered the pitch for Auxerre in the win over Nice. He logged 12.41 km, won 8 duels and made 5 tackles, three of them successful. On the ball he hit 39 of 53 passes with 9 of 12 long balls finding targets, plus 2 key passes. Six recoveries underlined his box-to-box range. It all added up to an 8.0 Sofascore Rating.

Lucas Calodat brought end product in Le Mans 2-2 Lens. He scored from 2 shots on target and created a big chance, while adding 9 recoveries, 2 interceptions and 2 tackles. His 28 accurate passes helped calm transitions, and he progressed the ball over 100 meters with five progressive carries. The blend of goal threat and defensive work earned him an 8.7 Sofascore Rating.

Leading the line and making it count

Paris Brunner took center stage for Monaco in a 1-1 draw at Strasbourg. He scored from 3 total shots with 2 on target and posted 0.39 xG with a hefty 1.20 xGOT. He also supplied 2 key passes, ran 10.48 km and made 15 sprints to stretch the defense. He won an aerial duel and drew 2 fouls, constantly occupying center-backs. There was one big chance missed and two offsides, but the goal and direct play shaped Monaco’s attack. His Sofascore Rating of 7.7 sat on top of the most important forward metric: putting the ball in the net.

This round’s XI shows why Ligue 1 is a goldmine for player development and smart scouting. From Safonov’s shot-stopping clinic to Cásseres Jr.’s assist spree, the week rewarded impact over headlines. Track every performance and live momentum swing on the Sofascore Ligue 1 hub, and dive into each player’s profile for full match timelines, shot maps and their Sofascore Rating journey.