Clermont overthrows Reims, Toulouse slaps Troyes, Lens may have regrets
Toulouse won its first victory in the French league this season, at Troyes (3-0) on Sunday, during a second day of Ligue 1 marked by the fine comeback of Clermont in Reims (4-2).
And Reims collapsed… Disjointed and spectacular, pleasant and rhythmic, the meeting between Reims and Clermont, two teams slapped on the first day, gave birth to a stunning scenario. Led 2-0, Clermont finally won 4-2 in Reims. The Stade de Reims however logically led at the break thanks to the two penalties transformed in quick succession by Doumbia (23rd), author of a good entry in Marseille, and Balogun (29th).
Nothing seemed able to thwart the march forward of Oscar Garcia’s men, especially not a non-existent Clermont team, far from being able to reduce the gap at the end of the first period. But everything suddenly changed when we got back from the locker room. In less than five minutes, Emmanuel Agbadou was expelled (47th) then Reims conceded a penalty in stride (52nd). Everything then went on, and not necessarily in a good way for the people of Champagne. Interesting against Paris, Andric scored twice (62nd) then Saracevic (72nd) and Bela (78th) gave this “climax” of Clermont the appearance of a correction.
Toulouse quickly acclimatized
In the continuity of its match against Nice, the first in Ligue 1 since the rise of the club in the elite, Toulouse logically signed its first victory of the season away from home, on the lawn of Troyes (3-0). Left on the bench against the Aiglons on the occasion of the start of the season, captain Dejaegere celebrated his return by causing the opener against his side Larouci (36th). The 21-year-old defender cracked under pressure from the TFC midfielder. Technically dominating, the Toulouse team was not immune to the break. She even suffered several dangerous occasions. Threatening on a counter-attack in the first act, Troyes broke down on the return from the locker room on the defensive level, suffering a wave of white waves. Involved on the first but on the pass, Ratao transformed the offering of his friend Aboukhlal and punished an apathetic defense, putting his people to safety at the same time. Healey gave more scope to the very fine victory of the French Ligue 2 champion, provisionally 3rd in the championship.
Regrets for Lens
On a very damaged lawn, which made transmissions complicated and therefore passing sequences rarer than usual, Ajaccio and Lens failed to score a single goal. The two teams faced each other for the first time in Ligue 1 since February 26, 2006 and they would not keep a memorable memory of this confrontation, played in conditions not conducive to the game. Overall dominant against a rather timorous team offensively, Lens continued to get the best chances against a catchy promotion and will be able to regret leaving the island of beauty with a single point in his pocket.
Auxerre will be satisfied
AJA knew they were expected after the completely failed start in Lille (1-4), and the Auxerrois did not disappoint AbbĂ©-Deschamps. They had conceded two goals in three minutes against the Mastiffs? They were already leading 2-0 this afternoon against Angers after ten minutes of play. Problem, the ideal start to the match for Jean-Marc Furlan’s men did not last. The reduction in Diony’s score on a service from Thioub (22nd) rebalanced the debates. Reduced to ten against eleven following the exclusion of Sinayoko, the Auxerrois saw Hein’s goal finally canceled for a violent nudge from Da Costa, before conceding the equalizer from Salama, ideally served by Boufal (77th) . Auxerre still opens its counter in numerical inferiority, while the SCO is treading water with a second draw in a row.