SM Caen. Uninspired then ineffective, Malherbe bows to Paris FC
By Aline Chatel
Published on
After six games without defeat, including four wins, the Malherbe Caen Stadium lost to Paris FC on Tuesday April 19, 2022 (1-0). The Caennais, who seem to be suffering a slight backlash from the excellent period which had brought them to sixth place in the standings, did not find the net in Charléty. It hadn’t happened to them for a month and a half. However, they had a penalty, among other clear chances.
Riou beaten and injured
Caen stumbled on the defensive block of the fourth in Ligue 2, for whom victory was much more imperative on this 34ᵉ day. The Parisians had the merit of opening the score at the heart of a rather timorous first act on both sides. Namé’s unspectacular free kick deceived the Caen wall and the last rampart of the visitors (1-0, 26′). Riou, beaten at the foot of his left post, will come out twenty minutes later. He had received a cramp in the forehead from Caddy at the quarter of an hour.
Mendy missed a penalty
If the Malherbistes struggled throughout the first half, despite two big consecutive chances on set pieces, a strike from Diani repelled by Demarconnay (33′) and a header from Mendy above the bar (33′), they were more enterprising in the second act. Their possession of the ball, a more sustained pace and an increased presence in the Paris area were not enough, however. Even the penalty obtained by Abdi and (poorly) shot by Mendy remained in vain (73′). The Caen striker was not having a great night, like his attacking partner. He and Da Costa, lacking connections, were replaced simultaneously at the start of the last quarter of an hour.
Start in the second half
There were chances in favor of Caen, however, in this second half. While the Normans needed more than half an hour to land their first shot of the game, they took their chance much faster this time. Without success, therefore, whether it is Da Costa (48′), Mendy (67′), Court (69′) or Jeannot (86′). If only Deminguet hadn’t slipped, like Da Costa at the very start of the match (2′), on the action that will culminate in the shot over Court… The Malherbistes tried a lot, contrasting with their relative apathy from the first period, but nothing happened.
Caen has abused Paris
Eager to gauge themselves against a candidate for the climb, Caen surely had answers as to their current abilities. Nobody will have been surprised to see the Whites of the evening manhandle as well as their opponents in the second period. The result, however, is relentless. With this twelfth setback of the season, Stade Malherbe finds itself eighth in the standings before hosting Auxerre, Saturday April 23, 2022 (3:00 p.m.).
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