The deception: FC Metz has one foot in L2
If Benoît Tavenot’s players managed to bring back a point from Le Havre after a spectacular draw (4-4), during which they were behind four times, they now know they are (almost) doomed to descend to the second division at the end of the season.
Promoted and third in L2 last season, FC Metz (16 points), bottom of the table, are nine points behind the playoff spot held by Auxerre (25 pts), with three matches left. Given their very unfavorable goal difference (-39 against -15), the Messins are practically assured of relegation. In a similar situation, FC Nantes is also heading straight there. The Canaries were beaten on Sunday in the derby against Stade Rennais (2-1), notably after a goal by their former player, Valentin Rongier.
The comeback: Troyes secures its comeback
Thanks to their victory in Saint-Étienne (3-0) on Saturday, Troyes has secured their return to Ligue 1 with two matches to spare, completing a three-year promotion operation during which the club reached great heights while flirting with the National league.
The number: 2012
Stade Brestois is the first team not to win a Ligue 1 match after leading by three goals at halftime since Ajaccio in October 2012 (4-1 at halftime against Lorient, final score 4-4). On Friday night, Lens also erased such a gap at the end of a crazy match.
After three goals by Daouda Guindo (7th), Lucas Tousart (24th), then Junior Dina Ebimbe (42nd), Florian Thauvin sparked a comeback in the 60th minute. Abdallah Sima, four minutes later, and then Allan Saint-Maximin in stoppage time allowed the Sang et Or to leave Finistère with a point.
The anger: Banners displayed at the Velodrome
After a tense week following the defeat in Lorient (2-0), Marseille supporters gave their team a warm welcome. Several banners appeared in the stands. One directed at the American owner, Franck McCourt: “1. Summon their agents, 2. Demand accountability, 3. Uphold institutional respect, 4. Stop paying them or fire them.” Another targeting the management and the sports project: “Ambition: UCL. 9 months of disgust: Conference League or nothing…” Not to forget the “No to the new logo.”
The penalty goal: Wahi’s panenka chills the Velodrome
A penalty obtained by Jonathan Clauss and a panenka by Elye Wahi: Olympique de Marseille was punished at the end of the match by two of its former players on Sunday evening at the Velodrome against Nice (1-1).
Amidst a very tense atmosphere, clashes occurred between Wahi and his former teammates in the Marseille defense, with Leonardi Balerdi at the forefront. But the ex-scorer of Montpellier, Lens, and Frankfurt did not tremble against Geronimo Rulli and the hostility of the Marseille crowd, punishing a youthful error by Tadjidine Mmadi.
Result: a draw that brings Nice closer to safety and further away from the Champions League for OM.
The quote: “The Champions League? It’s close and far as well”
After the victory against Auxerre on Saturday, Corentin Tolisso inevitably mentioned the Champions League which is getting closer to Olympique Lyonnais, currently third. “The Champions League? It’s close and far as well. There are three matches left. That’s a lot. A lot can happen. […] A lot can still happen. I say we need to qualify for the Europa League first. If we achieve that, then we will see what we can grab in the Champions League,” he continued.
Results from matchday 31
Brest – Lens: 3 – 3
Lyon – Auxerre: 3 – 2
Angers – Paris SG: 0 – 3
Toulouse – Monaco: 2 – 2
Lorient – Strasbourg: 2 – 3
Le Havre – FC Metz: 4 – 4
Paris FC – Lille: 0 – 1
Rennes – Nantes: 2 – 1
Marseille – Nice: 1 – 1
End of a streak: Lorient suffers its 2nd home defeat
The Moustoir had become an impregnable fortress since early September. After a heavy 7-1 defeat inflicted by Lille in the 3rd matchday, FC Lorient had not lost at home. They beat Monaco (3-1 at the end of September), Lyon (1-0 early December), OM (2-0 in mid-April), and even drew against Paris Saint-Germain (1-1 in late October).
And on Sunday, Olivier Pantaloni’s men, set to leave at the end of the season, almost did it again. Noah Cadiou (26th) and Pablo Pagis (54th, penalty) had built a lead, but Strasbourg did not give up and overturned the situation with two goals in stoppage time (3-2).
