Monaco still dreams of the podium, Metz almost doomed
Monaco-Angers: 2-0
AS Monaco continues its incredible series with this success against Angers, its seventh in a row in L1, which fails in 4th place, tied on points with 3rd, Rennes. This time, however, Philippe Clément’s team really suffered and was lucky to open the scoring just before half-time, on a confused action completed by one against his camp Abdoulaye Bamba (42nd).
Two goals were disallowed in Monaco for offside at the start of the second period, but the Principality team ended up finding the opening a second time on a counter that left only one defender from Angevin against five opponents. It was the inevitable Wissam Ben Yedder who concluded the action. The 21st but in L1 this season for the international striker.
Montpellier-Metz: 2-2
The Montpellier tumble continues. Olivier Dall’Oglio’s team have won two of their last 13 L1 games and their performance against Metz confirmed their coasting trajectory: the Héraultais missed their first half to the point that no one, at the Stade de la Mosson, was surprised by Thomas Delaine’s opener in the 24th minute. The public was a little more surprised by the second but, signed Louis Mafouta just after coming into play (70th), on an almost sacrificial decisive pass from William Mikelbrencis, who repelled Maxime Estève’s clearance with a header.
Arnaud Souquet’s headed goal (80′) revived Montpellier and Wahi’s goal in the middle of a passive defense (90’+1) deprived Metz of an unexpected rebound: the Lorraine region have not won since the January 16 and remained on 13 games without success (8 losses, 5 draws) and remained six points behind the play-off.
Brest-Clermont: 2-0
Clermont missed a huge opportunity to ensure its maintenance in Brest, where the Auvergnats played in numerical superiority from the 23rd minute, that of the expulsion of Romain Del Castillo. Worse, they were surprised by a goal from Lilian Brassier from a corner, as they pushed to open the scoring (60th), and they sank in stride, leaving Youcef Belaïli to cross at the far post for Steve Mounié’s header ( 62nd). Two actions that highlighted the defensive naivety of the promoted. This setback leaves Clermont in 17th place, only two points ahead of the barrage, Saint-Étienne.
Lorient-Reims: 1-2
A week after its heavy defeat in Rennes (0-5), Lorient confirmed its irregular progress towards maintenance. Christophe Pelissier’s team was quickly led on a goal by Arber Zeneli in the middle of a poorly staged defense, Kosovar’s first goal this season (17th). But, when she had equalized (32nd) on a typical individual action from Terem Moffi, she again spread her defensive largesse to concede a second goal, signed El Bilal Touré, between the legs of Matthieu Dreyer (59th). This setback leaves the Hakes in danger, three points ahead of the barrage, Saint-Étienne.