Winner of Niort (2-0), Toulouse is now back in Ligue 1
And the Stadium, like a pressure cooker, a burst of joy. Despite the ban, TFC supporters invade the field and congratulate their players. Two years after their relegation to Ligue 2, Toulouse FC did not miss the opportunity to ensure their return to the top flight. Against Niort, in the closing match of the 35th day, Philippe Montanier’s players gave the win at all costs. Two buts, a period, ensure their happiness.
Everything was in place to make the party perfect. An enclosure almost full to bursting (24,209 spectators), hot supporters for hours, standing as one man, and an opponent already assured of maintenance and who only plays one place in the Top 10. Impossible to imagine another chose only one victory for Téfécé, which dominated the season head and shoulders.
Van den Boomen’s 20th assist
Last year, he had let the rise slip away, notably dropping five points at Paris FC in the last few weeks. Troyes and Clermont were not shy about stealing the precious Ligue 1 ticket from him. This year, the former coach of Stade Rennais, RC Lens and Standard de Liège was able to count on a fully invested workforce, image of his triplet made up of the Dutchman Branco van den Boomen (20 assists, equal record), the Briton Rhys Healey (20 goals, top scorer in L2), and his captain, the Belgian Brecht Dejaegere.
As a symbol, it was the latter who opened the scoring (the 79th but of his team!) by taking over from the penalty spot the center set back from Issiaga Sylla (21st). However, we trembled the previous minute when Healey was forced to leave his comrades, apparently hit in the adductors. Toulouse dominates but is unable to make the break.
The Violets, who have lost only one of their last seventeen meetings (1-4 in mid-March in Caen), are forcing and Mathieu Michel, the Niort doorman, multiply the exploits in his cages. Denis Genreau, the young Franco-Australian, scores on the counterattack but his but is canceled for offside (74th). In the aftermath, the diving header of Japanese striker Ado Onaiwu frees an entire city (2-0, 78th).
There is now the title of champion to seek for Toulouse, perhaps from the next day in Rodez. And three days to designate the one who will accompany him directly in Ligue 1. AC Ajaccio, three lengths, is the best placed but Auxerre (3rd), Sochaux (4th), and perhaps even the PFC have not say their last word. The bets are open.