After the big defeat of Saint-Étienne against Lorient (6-2), Bordeaux is relaunching in the race to maintain thanks to its victory against Metz (3-1) this Sunday. For its part, Monaco overcame Troyes (2-1) and can still believe in Europe, and Nice is moving away from the podium after its correction in Lens (3-0). Here’s what to remember from the afternoon meetings.
The Girondins, still alive
Woe to the vanquished. Bordeaux, 20th before this 31st day, and Metz, 19th, clashed this Sunday to still believe in the maintenance. And in this shock of fear, it was the Girondins who came out on top mentally (3-1). Led after the opener by Lamkel Zé (22nd), David Guion’s men pushed to equalize, against the compact defensive block of Messins. And finally, Mangas revived his team with a deflected shot (52nd), thus ending a drought of 488 minutes without scoring in the league for FCGB.
More offensive, the Girondins scored a second goal on a cross from Mensah well cut by Niang (68th). The Korean Hwang also took part in the celebration by scoring his eleventh goal in Ligue 1 from a corner (88th). Thanks to this victory, the Bordelais return to one point behind Saint-Étienne, 18th, and leave the last place in the standings to Metz.
Monaco dreams of Europe
This is what can be called winning coaching. 49 seconds after coming into play against Troyes, Kevin Volland delivered AS Monaco (57th), scoring his seventh goal of the season with his left foot. A real boon for the Rock club, which was, until then, hooked by realistic Trojans (one goal on their only shot on target). The Monegasques had opened the scoring with a very nice free kick from Caio Henrique (19th).
Thanks to this victory, they are relaunching in the race for Europe and are only one point behind Strasbourg and Nice, fourth and fifth, who have one game less.
The Eaglets fall from the nest
It’s definitely the craziest game of the day. Reduced to 10 after fifteen minutes after the expulsion of Haïdara, the Lensois largely beat Nice (3-0), thanks to a gala Arnaud Kalimuendo. Came into play at the start of the second period, the former PSG striker scored twice (51st, 57th) against Aiglons, sterile and clumsy offensively. Doucouré also scored his first goal of the season on a nice shot from the right (55th). Frustrated by the result, OGC Nice made a lot of mistakes, like Lemina excluded on the hour mark.
With this defeat, the Aiglons see their dream of the Champions League darken, since they are five points behind Rennes, runner-up to PSG.
Lille stalls again
If Monaco smiles, Losc, meanwhile, is rather in the hard. After its draw against Bordeaux last week (0-0) and the Ben Arfa imbroglio, Lille was once again hooked by Angers (1-1) and lost points in the race for Europe. In a sluggish match, the SCO took the lead on an own goal from Lille defender Djalo (64th). Finally, the Mastiffs snatched the draw with a wonderful strike from their new recruit Zhegrova (74th). With this draw, Lille returns to five points from Nice, while Angers takes a step closer to maintaining.
Nantes and Brest cannot be separated
In a meeting marred by excesses, Brest and Nantes failed to decide between the Francis-Le Blé stadium (1-1). However, the Canaries had done the hardest part, thanks to the inevitable Kolo Muani, who scored his twelfth goal of the season, on a pass from Merlin (11th). After an interruption of the match due to an invasion of the field, the Brestois were more sharp in their attacks and were remobilized. And their efforts were rewarded with the equalizer from Chardonnet (67th).
