Will the Kombouaré effect continue? After their victory against Angers and the draw against OM, FC Nantes went this Sunday to the Stade des Costières to challenge Nîmes Olympique in a match of fear. Eighteenth, the Canaries indeed faced the first non-relegation, the Crocos occupying 17th place with a small point more. With Coco, Kolo Muani and Simon in attack, Antoine Kombouaré hoped to see his team shake the net to take the three points while in front, Pascal Plancque was counting on his captain Ripart to do the job ahead.
Under the Nîmes sun, the Canaries took this meeting by the right end and Meling was already saving his team in front of Chirivella (22nd). But five minutes later, the nets trembled since Blas, found behind, opened the scoring with a strike that struck before the post (27th, 0-1). After a controlled first period, the Canaries generally put it back after the break. But after a clearance blocked by Castelletto, Koné took advantage of this chance to equalize (76th, 1-1). Behind, the Crocs pushed but Lafont shone in front of Miguel (79th), who then saw red (90th + 1). The score remained there. Still undefeated with Antoine Kombouaré on the bench, the Nantes residents remained in the red zone but in nineteenth place, one point from NW, eighteenth.
End of series for RC Lens, Lorient surprises Saint-Etienne
At the Stade Raymond Kopa, Angers and Lens crossed swords for a first-half table match. Tenth, the Scoïstes wanted to return to two points of the Sang-et-or, who wanted them to regain their fifth place, occupied by Metz since Saturday. After goals from Diony and Mangani from the penalty spot, the visitors restarted the game thanks to Clauss before Kalimuendo equalized in the 90th + 2 (2-2). After six unbeaten matches in all competitions, RC Lens continued and remained sixth. The SCO consolidated its tenth place.
In the other matches of the afternoon, Lorient received Saint-Etienne at Moustoir. In the first period, Moukoudi opened the scoring from a corner but Lauriente, with a magnificent free kick, equalized for the Merlus in the second act. The number 28, entered into play, even offered the victory to his left (88th). Final score 2-1, which allows FCL to move out of the red zone, while ASSE is still 15th. Finally, Reims and Montpellier had an appointment in Champagne-Ardenne but the show was not there with a goalless draw.
The Ligue 1 ranking here.
The 3 p.m. results:
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Angers SCO 2-2 RC Lens: Diony (5th), Mangani (10th s.p); Clauss (22nd), Kalimuendo (90th + 2)
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FC Lorient 2-1 AS Saint-Etienne: Lauriente (66th, 88th); Moukoudi (14th)
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Nîmes Olympique 1-1 FC Nantes: Koné (77th); Blas (27th)
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Stade de Reims 0-0 Montpellier HSC