Brest Clermont FRED TANNEAU / AFP
The Bretons, winners of Clermont (2-1) on Sunday, will officially return to Ligue 1 next season.
Brest validates its maintenance against Clermont
Phew! Stade Brestois will have waited for the 36th day to score its ticket for the 2023-24 Ligue 1 season. Éric Roy’s players won this Sunday against Clermont (2-1), yet undefeated for 7 matches and which had opened the score, with a clever shot from the left of Neto Borges (43rd, 0-1). In the process, Franck Honorat equalized with a good sequence in the area (45th 1-1).
Relieved, Francis-Le-Blé exulted after half-time. Pierre Lees-Melou put Steve Mounié in orbit for a face-to-face victory against Mory Diaw (48th, 2-1). In a painful and stormy end to the match and under a rain of yellow cards, the Finisterians held on to confirm their maintenance, they who point to 14th place. They will thus play a fifth consecutive season in the top flight. Clermont, for its part, remains 8th.
Strasbourg s in Troyes
They thought of imitating the Brestois, but Frédéric Antonetti’s men will have to wait. Strasbourg was caught on the lawn of Troyes (1-1) in an incredible game. Habib Diarra put Racing in front with a distant and powerful shot from the right (27th, 0-1). ESTAC has long come close to sinking, like a shot on the bar of Habib Diallo (56th). The red card of goalkeeper Gauthier Gallon (58th) seemed to kill all suspense. Or not.
Habib Diarra scored the only Strasbourg goal in Troyes. FRANCOIS NASCIMBENI / AFP
Alexander Djiku was also excluded (72nd) and, on the resulting free kick, Rony Lopes equalized with a delicious left foot free kick (73rd, 1-1). At ten against ten, the two teams delivered a flamboyant end to the match. Lopes believed in the double from a free kick (79th), while Adil Rami’s header was repelled by Matz Sels (88th) and, on the counter-attack, Kevin Gameiro almost freed Racing. Strasbourg leaves Aube with 5 points ahead of Nantes, first relegation, and nevertheless goes straight towards maintenance. ESTAC, 18th, is already in Ligue 2.
Reims and Angers make the show
No stake but what a spectacle at Auguste-Delaune. Reims and Angers left on a draw (2-2) removed and rhythmic under the sun of the Marne. Junya Ito opened the scoring for the Rémois with a small individual feat, a directed control followed by a precise strike from the left (10th, 1-0). Halid Sabanovic equalized from the start, on the lookout for a shot from Ibrahima Niane on the post (46th, 1-1). Folarin Balogun put Reims back in front of the surfaces by scoring his 20th goal of the season in Ligue 1 (54th, 2-1).
Far from being knocked out, the SCO still reacted to an inspiration from Himad Abdelli. The Angevin fired a splendid half-volley from the left at 18 meters, in the skylight of Yehvann Diouf (2-2, 60th). The goal of the weekend which allows Angers, already relegated red lantern, to save the honor. Reims stagnates in 11th place in the ranking.
Nice and Toulouse already on vacation
The half-empty stands suggested that Toulouse and Nice had nothing more to play for at the end of the season. However, the scoreless draw (0-0) does not reflect the face of the meeting. Kasper Schmeichel had to work to keep the Aiglons in the game (31st, 43rd) and was also able to count on Dante, who repelled a shot from Rafael Ratão on his goal line (41st). His counterpart, Maxime Dupé, also distinguished himself, against Andy Delort (78th) and Terem Moffi (87th), and was saved by his post on an attempt by this same Moffi (86th). Nice is 9th in the standings, Toulouse 13th.