You didn’t have to arrive late at Moustoir on Sunday to see the incredible defeat of the locals, Lorient, against the self-sacrificing FC Metz (2-3). 40 seconds were enough for Messins to open the scoring, through Cheick Sabaly who concluded a good pressing from the start (1st, 0-1). Surprised but not anesthetized, the Merlus relied on an untenable Romain Faivre. The spinning left-hander put the Grenats defense to torture, finishing himself to equalize (8th, 1-1) before leaving this honor to Eli Kroupi Jr (22nd, 2-1).
The Merlus had break points, like Tiémoué Bakayoko on a free kick (32nd). The same Bakayoko beaten by Ismaël Traoré, receiving a corner well deflected by Matthieu Udol for Metz (65th, 2-2). Challenged, Lorient did not regain its confidence and cracked, like Formose Mendy at fault on Joel Asoro in the area. Ablie Jallow did not tremble (83rd, 2-3). More killer in the last meters, the promoted Metz scores a 2nd victory in a row to move up to 9th place. Lorient stagnates in 16th place, that of barrier for maintenance.
After five matches without a victory, Brest tasted happiness again at Mosson (1-3), where Montpellier surely did not think they would stumble after a quarter of an hour. Against the flow of play, Romain Del Castillo caused an own goal from the unfortunate Maxime Estève (20th, 0-1). The debates were rebalanced until half-time and even beyond. Montpellier equalized with a penalty from its captain Téji Savanier (51st, 1-1), again the author of a successful performance. But while the MHSC was flexing its muscles, Brest was right again.
Mathias Pereira Lage took advantage of a long ball from Kenny Lala and a deflection from Steve Mounié to surprise the Hérault defense in the area (64th, 1-2). A disconcerted Montpellier never knew how to regain his senses, and was even punished at the end of the game on a counter-attack concluded by Kamory Doumbia (90th 3, 1-3). Ex-leader of L1, Brest temporarily moves to 7th and leaves the MHSC in the lurch, in 14th place.
Despite 19 shots (3 on target) and almost constant domination, Nantes left empty-handed after receiving Le Havre (0-0). Clumsy for a long time, like Moussa Sissoko in the box (16th), the Canaries took time to ignite their Beaujoire audience. Ignatius Ganago was denied a goal for a tiny offside position (57th), and the exclusion of André Ayew, who had barely entered for his return to L1 in the HAC jersey (67th), accentuated the Nantes superiority.
But it was written that the Normans would take a point. Florent Mollet and Ganago came very close to freeing theirs after a mix-up in the Le Havre area (86th), then Arthur Desmas had an excellent reflex on his line after a deflected shot from Eray Cömert (89th). The 9 minutes of added time kept hope alive. Nantes remains stable in 11th place in the ranking, three ranks behind promoted Le Havre.