Tops
Aligned for the first time together on the front of the Nantes attack, Mostafa Mohamed and Matthis Abline drove the Lorient defense crazy. Discreet at the start of the game, the French striker on loan from Rennes made his debut with a superb equalizing goal (42nd), before his teammate’s masterpiece. Decisive on a direct free kick (55th), 30 meters into the top corner, the Egyptian has already scored his 5th goal of the season. Beyond their goals, the two players displayed their complementarity which should give ideas to their coach Pierre Aristouy.
Despite the defeat, the Merlus displayed good offensive dispositions embodied by the former Lyonnais. The latter multiplied the dribbles and well-felt feints, always in the direction of the game and the collective. He was rewarded with a goal and an assist and could even have equalized at 4-4 without a Nantes save in the area. On the Beaujoire pitch, Faivre confirmed his excellent start to the season as Lorient playmaker.
This match, which looked like a poster buried in the Sunday multiplex, ultimately offered a very entertaining 90 minutes. If the beleaguered tusks have something to do with it, the spectacle on offer should be highlighted without denying our pleasure. 16 shots on target, 8 goals, what the people demand. The Nantes supporters undoubtedly had a great afternoon, with the four FCN attackers (Mohamed, Abline, Simon, Mollet) each scoring their own goal to raise the Loire stand.
Flops
Who says great spectacle, says (often) defense in difficulty. Well into their match, FC Lorient sank over the minutes, leaving gaping spaces in their camp. The will-o’-the-wisp Moises Simon enjoyed the entire second half in depth. Between Laporte, Talbi, Kalulu, Touré and Le Goff, it is difficult to incriminate one more than another. The Merlus drowned together even if Romain Faivre floated in the midfield.
Coming into play in the 63rd minute in the left lane, the former Marseillais did not influence the end of the match despite his good intentions. Author of a strike in added time, the 2018 world champion gradually found his rhythm after 20 minutes played against Monaco (2-2) last Sunday. Régis Le Bris tried the bet again today but it didn’t work. No doubt he will try again in the coming weeks.