Saint-Étienne saves a point against Amiens, Bastia and Caen stall
Few underdogs took advantage of the match draw between Sochaux (3rd) and Bordeaux (2nd) in the early afternoon. There was even only one: Grenoble. The Isérois ended a series of five games without a win by overcoming Annecy, thanks to a double from Matthias Phaëton (1-0, 4th and 2-1, 72nd), responding to the prior equalizer from Moïse Sahi Dion (1-1, 30th). Sixth, the GF38 returns to six lengths from Bordeaux.
Six is one more than Bastia who, however, jumped at the chance, quickly opening the scoring in Valenciennes thanks to Frank Magri (0-1, 4th). However, the Corsicans were taken over by the northern rookie Adrian Grbic, scorer twice including an exceptional free kick (1-1, 25th then 2-1, 48th). But Magri also scored twice (2-2, 69th), allowing the islanders to stay five units behind the Girondins.
Caen also let their luck slip away, biting the dust at the relegated Ruthenian. Despite goals from Yoann Court (2-1, 38th) and Ali Abdi (3-2, 90th+2), the Normans were surprised three times, by Sambou Soumano (1-0, 15th), Serge-Philippe Raux-Yao (2-0, 27th) and Killian Corredor (3-1, 54th). The Malherbistes are now seven points behind the second while Rodez, seventeenth, is relegated first.
Paul keeps his distance
There are also teams looking to get away from the relegation zone that have come forward. Besides Rodez, Pau relieved himself by beating the Niort red lantern thanks to Quentin Boisgard (1-0, 14th). The visitors, last with 23 units, are seven lengths behind their opponent of the evening, the first non-relegation.
Precisely, Paris FC, winner in Laval, moved away from dangerous places, unlike the Mayenne who only have a mattress of three points ahead of the RAF. Despite Simon Elisor’s first goal with Laval (1-1, 18th), the Parisians took the upper hand thanks to Ilan Kebbal (0-1, 11th) and Morgan Guilavogui (1-2, 60th).
Valuable success of Nîmes Olympique also, overcoming Quevilly-Rouen, yet well placed in Ligue 2. Pablo Pagis, author of a double (1-0, 66th and 2-0, 71st) allowed the Crocos, always before -last, to stay in contact with their direct competitors, like Dijon, eighteenth, and beaten at Guingamp after achievements by Amine El Ouazzani (1-0, 34th) and Jacques Siwe (2-0, 85th).
ASSE no longer loses
Finally, in the mid-table meeting between Saint-Étienne and Amiens, there was no winner. Author of the equalizer, Niels Nkounkou (1-1, 77th) answered Iron Gomis (0-1, 57th) and allowed the Greens to chain a sixth match of invincibility. A first since the period November 2020 – January 2021 (7 matches).
