Lens on its way
Clearly, Lens is an increasingly serious candidate for Europe. Franck Haise’s players beat Saint-Etienne at Geoffroy-Guichard (2-3). Florian Sotoca from the penalty spot (20th) then Arnaud Kalimuendo (25th) allowed Lens to take the lead. The reduction of the gap of Harold Moukoudi on a corner (40th) did not allow the Greens to return to the score, punished by a final against Lensois concluded by Pereira Da Costa (90 + 3rd).
Denis Bouanga saved the honor on the last action of the match by converting a penalty (90 + 6th). The Lensois, provisionally fifth and five points from seventh place, assert their European ambitions.
Nice puts an end to the improvement in Nîmes
After four unbeaten matches including three victories, Nîmes fell to Nice (1-2). Dominators in the first period, the Aiglons took the lead thanks to a goal from Amine Gouiri (4th). But the Nîmes drew on their mental reserves to return to the score thanks to a goal from a corner from Loïc Landre (50th).
Relieved, the Crocs went on the attack, Eliasson found the crossbar (73rd) before Alexis Claude-Maurice, on a rebate from Burner, gave the ultimate advantage to the Aiglons (75th). Nîmes tried a lot but finally bowed. Pascal Plancque’s men are still 18th, one point ahead of Nantes.
Angers surprises Metz
In an open match, the Angevins disposed of Metz at Saint-Symphorien (1-0). Stéphane Moulin’s players opened the scoring at the end of the first half on a penalty converted by Angelo Fulgini (44th). The Messins then failed to overthrow their opponents. Frustrated, the garnet goalkeeper Alexandre Oukidja was excluded at the end of the match during a fight following a foul play by Souleyman Doumbia (90 + 4th). Metz remains sixth but misses the opportunity to get ahead in the race for Europe.
Brest revives and sinks Dijon
After only one victory in their last nine Ligue 1 matches, Stade Brestois won by winning against Dijon (3-1). Franck Honorat, launched in depth (17th) then Steve Mounié of the head (27th) allowed Olivier Dall’Oglio’s men to quickly gain a considerable advantage. The reduction in the score by the first goal in Ligue 1 of Roger Assalé (29th) did not cool the Brestois who flew away thanks to a sublime sequence from Jean Lucas, concluded by Irvin Cardona using the post (40th) . The Brestois go back to 12th place, the red lantern Dijon connects a ninth consecutive defeat in all competitions.