TOPS
A defender who scores his first professional goal, it happens. But from the outside of the left foot, it’s rare. Isaak Touré, on loan from Olympique de Marseille, contributed a valuable point for AJ Auxerre against Clermont this Sunday (1-1). Shifted by M’Baye Niang in the area after an overrun, the 20-year-old Frenchman was very inspired to beat Mory Diaw in the area. A goal in the form of a reward for the former Le Havre, indisputable holder at Auxerre since his arrival this winter.
They have the same first name, and above all they have the same passion. Habib Diarra and Habib Diallo were the architects of the Strasbourg victory, capital in the fight for maintenance, on the lawn of FC Nantes (0-2). Diallo took responsibility by transforming a penalty for Racing in the 1st period (27th). On leaving the locker room after the break, he fixed the defense of the Canaries and served the call of Diarra, defensive midfielder. The French international U19 did not tremble to score his second goal of the season from the left, he who is right-handed, against Alban Lafont (47th). Strasbourg takes three points ahead of Nantes, first relegated.
FLOPS
Eleventh game in a row without a win in L1 against Strasbourg, another direct bottom-of-the-table duel lost after the one in Brest on Wednesday (2-0). Nantes is sinking, and not in silence, as La Beaujoire showed up before the match (delayed because of smoke bombs) and during, with pungent banners. On the ground, the Canaries still lacked inspiration, accuracy, collective strength to achieve a highlight. “What do you want me to tell you,” sighed Jean-Charles Castelletto, guilty of the penalty from which Strasbourg’s first goal came, at the microphone of Amazon Prime Video. Nantes, first relegated, still has four matches to save themselves. But no longer has his destiny in his hands.
A victory and Stade Brestois would have had a six-point lead over Nantes, which would have almost guaranteed their retention. But nothing went as planned at Moustoir, where Lorient showed relentless realism (2-1). Quite the opposite of Brest who framed 2 of his 15 shots. “I’m really disgusted with the match, disgusted for the team,” exasperated Jérémy Le Douaron, whose header failed on the post in added time (90th 3). Heading now for a match which will also be very expensive: the reception of Auxerre, which could pass in front of the Brestois in the event of success at Francis-le-Blé.