Sochaux, reduced to ten after a quarter of an hour of play, was beaten by the relegated Dijon (2-0) Monday at home at the end of the 33rd day of Ligue 2, a sign of a catastrophic end to the season for a former candidate for the climb.
The Sochaliens, who a few days ago could still claim Ligue 1, chained a fourth defeat in five games against the much more deserving Dijonnais, although helped by the logical expulsion of Daylam Meddah in the 13th minute.
Already dominating before the exit of Meddah, who wiped his crampon on the thigh of Bryan Soumaré, the Dijonnais opened the scoring in the 32nd minute by Marley Aké. Following a corner, the 22-year-old striker took over the ball which lodged in Maxence Prévot’s side net.
Just seven minutes later, Sochaux was punished again from a set piece. The free kick taken by Loum Tchaouna was deflected by Prévot on his bar. But behind, Mattéo Ahlinvi followed well to score against the empty goal (39th). Almost helpless, the “Lionceaux” failed to react in the second half, in their Auguste-Bonal stadium where they suffered 17 shots (6 on target) for only 4 attempted (2 on target).
The Sochaliens, now 5th behind Bastia, are 10 points behind Bordeaux, which holds the second ticket to the L1 five days before the end of the season, the first semblance reserved for the leader, Le Havre. Dijon on the other hand, thanks to this deserved success – the first outside since the 5th day – goes back to 17th place (34 pts) three points from Annecy, the first not to be relegated. What give even more stakes to the confrontation between the two formations next Saturday during the 34th day.