Nice’s third place in Ligue 1 is threatened by Marseille and Lorient, who face each other this Sunday (8:45 p.m.), after the surprise defeat of Gym in Troyes (1-0), during a 10th day where Saint-Etienne s ‘collapsed in Strasbourg (5-1).
The eventual winner of OM-Lorient, between the losing Marseillais and the “Merlus” undefeated for almost two months, would chase Nice from the podium. Previously, Lens on the occasion of consolidating its 2nd place in Montpellier (5:00 p.m.). The bottom of the standings being also very tight, Troyes made an excellent operation, with the return to L1 of Adil Rami, who replaced Oualid El Ajjam, injured (27th).
“I’m still standing, I’m a 4×4! laughed the world champion. I did the ‘taf’, we did the ‘taf’ with this first victory at home. These are three super important points for the team.“An entry goal from Mama Baldé (3rd) was enough for the Estac, which benefited from the draw of Brest (18th) at home against Reims (1-1) and especially the defeats of the last two.
Saint-Etienne, always last, lived an ordeal in Strasbourg, where Zaydou Youssouf scored against his camp (38th) before being excluded (44th) for a nasty tackle on Ludovic Ajorque.
Seventh goal for Laborde
The position of coach Claude Puel is threatened after this new failure. ASSE have not won a single game this season. Brest is also still winless, but the magnificent 25-meter volley from Franck Honorat (73rd) saved him a home defeat against Reims, who opened the scoring by Wout Faes (11th). Like the Greens, Metz (19th) sank, against Rennes (3-0).
In Saint-Symphorien Gaëtan Laborde consolidated his position as top scorer in Ligue 1 with a jewel of a seventh goal, with an uncrossed heel. Hwang Hui-jo’s goal is magnificent too, for the 140 years of the Girondins de Bordeaux, who played exceptionally with a garnet jersey with a golden scapular. The South Korean opened the scoring with a sumptuous curled shot (61st) resembling that of Karim Benzema against Spain. But his exit from injury cost the Girondins dearly, Nantes having equalized by Pedro Chirivella (74th) while he was receiving treatment.
Laborde, Honorat or Hwang placed the day under the sign of spectacular goals, enough to give ideas to the Marseille and Lorient attackers.