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Fabrizio Ravanelli's managerial debut ended in defeat as Ajaccio lost 1-0 to St-Etienne in their Ligue 1 opener in France.

The 44-year-old former Middlesbrough and Italy striker was appointed by the Corsicans in the summer after two years coaching the Juventus youth team.

Brandao scored the only goal at Stade Francois Coty with a first-half tap-in and Ajaccio, who narrowly avoided relegation last season, ended with 10 men after Benjamin Andre's red card.

In Sunday's other French top-flight match, Marseille beat Guingamp 3-1, with Andre-Pierre Gignac scoring once and new signing Dimitri Payet netting twice before Mustapha Yatabare, who also missed a penalty, scored for the hosts.

Likely title rivals Paris St-Germain and Monaco played their opening matches earlier in the weekend. On Friday, , externalwhile big-spending promoted side Monaco beat Bordeaux 2-0 on Saturday.