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Lorient-Strasbourg LOU BENOIST / AFP

Beaten at home by Strasbourg (2-1), Lorient slipped in the standings just like Metz, surprised by Montpellier (0-1).

Strasbourg pushes Lorient, relegated

44. This is the number of minutes we had to wait to see a Lorient shot at Moustoir. Enough to highlight the success of Strasbourg in Morbihan (1-2). The Alsatians controlled their subject for almost an hour, making their task easier after a quarter of an hour of play. Junior Mwanga made the difference on the left before a back cross, perfectly taken by Dilane Bakwa at 16 meters (14th , 0-1). Whistled at half-time, the Merlus were slow to react, conceding a second goal on a great strike from Lorient’s top L1 scorer in history, Kevin Gameiro (49th, 0-2).

It took a bit of success to revive Lorient. On a blocked strike from Romain Faivre, Bamba Dieng was the quickest to beat Matz Sels in the area (53rd, 1-2). Little by little, Strasbourg, which lost Abakar Sylla, Thomas Delaine and Lebo Mothiba to injury, retreated and let the Merlus play the game. For content that is still very meager. Jessy Deminguet and Angelo each had the match point in favor of Racing (90th), a waste which cost nothing. Lorient is sinking into crisis with a 17th place relegation. After its victory against Le Havre a week earlier (2-1), Strasbourg continued and moved to 9th.

Montpellier reignites the flame in Metz

After 6 matches without a victory, Montpellier finally saw the light at the end of the tunnel. The MHSC painfully won on the Metz pitch (0-1), quite logical in view of the first period. Maxime Estève, with a header from a corner from Téji Savanier, launched his team (9th). Without a great Alexandre Oukidja, who flew away from a free kick from Savanier (31st) and won face-to-face with Akor Adams (33rd), the Grenats would have quickly sunk in front of their audience.

Paradoxically, it was when the fog spread to the Saint-Symphorien stadium, after the break, that Metz began to see more clearly. A half-volley from Kevin N’Doram from 16 meters found Benjamin Lecomte (61st), as did a header from Simon Elisor from a corner, deflected by Lecomte on his bar (69th). It was then Joris Chotard who acted as goalkeeper, repelling a Metz shot on his line after a game of billiards (74th). Metz pushed, in vain. Third consecutive defeat for the promoted Lorraine, 14th in the ranking. The MHSC is 12th.

Rennes and Toulouse no further ahead

They will play in the play-offs for the round of 16 of the Europa League in February, but that does not make them Ligue 1 leaders at the moment. Toulouse conceded the draw (0-0) under the sun and in front of its supporters this Sunday, frustrated by Rennes lacking guidance. The balanced start quickly gave way to Toulouse domination, like Thijs Dallinga and Cristian Casseres countered by the exit of Steve Mandanda then the rescue of Arthur Theate (19th). Mandanda who, at 38 years old, was worthy of the captain’s armband which adorned his biceps.

The 2018 world champion repelled a shot from César Gelabert, although in a good position (23rd), and diverted a free kick on target from Vincent Sierro (76th). Rennes, still without Benjamin Bourigeaud, almost succeeded in the hold-up, but Guillaume Restes repelled Christopher Wooh’s header from a corner (90th + 3). The Bretons, 13th in L1, remain ahead of TFC, 15th, in the standings. But this is not the pace at which they will play Europe again next season.

2023-12-17 16:45:42
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