Laval crowned National champion, battle between Annecy and Villefranche for the direct climb
Already assured of a return to Ligue 2, Stade Lavallois validated the title of National champion with its draw against Red Star (2-2). The last day promises to be intense: Annecy, second, put himself in danger by losing heavily at Bourg-en-Bresse. Villefranche, third, can believe in the direct climb.
By falling heavily this Friday against Bourg en Bresse (3-0) in a match of the 33rd day of National played at the OL training center in Décines, Annecy fried its joker. And Villefranche revived for direct accession thanks to its victory in Sète (1-0). Annecy is currently second with 63 points, Villefranche is third with 62 points.
For second place – synonymous with a direct rise in Ligue 2 – it will therefore be decided on the last day. The two clubs will play their last match at home: the Annecy residents will know Sedan, Villefranche Beaujolaisra will host Bourg-en-Bresse. The team that finishes third will have to go through a barrage against the 18th in Ligue 2 to hope to go up.
Small advantage (double) for Annecy
No other team can hope to fight, so the only suspense at the top of the table concerns the order between these two clubs. Annecy has another “joker”: in the event of a tie, the Hauts-Savoyards would have the ticket for Ligue 2 thanks to a direct advantage, resulting from the double confrontation between the two teams (Annecy having won both clashes).
Meanwhile, Stade Lavallois took advantage of Annecy’s misstep to validate its title of National champion, just a few days after having validated the rise in the second division, five years after the descent. The party was beautiful in a sold-out Francis-Le-Basser stadium, whose lawn was invaded at the final whistle.