All is well for Rennes. The Bretons continue their 14-game unbeaten streak against Montpellier (3-0) and take the opportunity to get on the Ligue 1 podium. Here is the summary of what happened this Sunday.
Confirmation: Rennes always higher
Slowed down in the Europa League on Thursday after squandering a three-goal lead, the Rennais did not have time to procrastinate too much. Quickly recovering in the Ligue 1 bath, where Bruno Genesio’s men swim like fish in water. They confirmed their great form of the moment by chaining a fifth consecutive success in the league, just that, at home against an outdated Montpellier team (3-0). Served on a millimeter free kick from Lovro Majer, the inevitable Martin Terrier scored his 8th goal of the season with a header and close (15th). Arnaud Kalimuendo broke with a shot as slow as it was perfectly placed (23rd), before Amine Gouiri finished the Rennes trip (85th). The Bretons continue to climb in the standings, and climb ahead of Marseille and Lorient to take their place on the podium.
The surprise: Lorient stumbles on Nice
Ejected from the podium during this 13th day, the Hakes missed the opportunity to come back to it by falling at home against Nice (1-2). With his striker Terem Moffi back but on the bench at kick-off, Lorient nevertheless seemed ideally launched with an oiled collective and the goal of his replacement, Dango Ouattara (18th). But the players of Régis Le Bris were overthrown in less than ten minutes by those of Lucien Favre, victorious after goals from Youcef Atal (61st) and Gaëtan Laborde (69th). The Lorient (4th) see the end of their big series of 8 games without defeat in Ligue 1 (6 wins and 2 draws), and fall for the second time of the season only. Big blow for OGC Nice, which finds the first part of the table (10th).
The reaction: the Monegasques strike again
Faced with a losing bottom in the Championship, the reaction was obligatory for Monaco at home, the ASM remaining on four games without success in all competitions. Under the eyes of Florian Thauvin and Mehdi Benatia in the stands, it took time to emerge for the Monegasques against Angers (2-0), in a match that was long a story of penalties. Adrien Hunou thought he had obtained one but Stéphanie Frappart reconsidered her decision (19th). That of Wissam Ben Yedder has been confirmed but Yahia Fofana was imperial on his line to repel his attempt (41st).
It was finally the good pick from the off-season Breel Embolo in fox (54th), then Alexandre Golovin with a luminous roll (70th), who offered the three points to their team. Sixth behind OM, Monaco is back to winning ways in L1. Angers continues to sink.
Renewal: the Canaries no longer lose
In difficulty since the start of the season, Nantes has been doing better lately, and relied on its last stunning success this week in the Europa League to continue in Ligue 1. No victory against Clermont, but a fighting draw (1-1 ), came to reinforce this impression of a team which does not let go any more. If Neto Borges had opened the scoring with a nice whim (54th), it was Mostafa Mohamed who equalized (73rd) on a service from Ignatius Ganago, the new darling of the Canaries. The Nantais chain a fourth match without defeat (2 wins, 2 draws), supported by a still exciting Beaujoire. Antoine Kombouaré’s men grabbed a place (15th), but above all confirmed a certain revival.
The first: successful baptism for Pélissier in Auxerre
Without a bench since the end of his adventure in Lorient this summer, Christophe Pélissier completed his first at the head of Auxerre with a broad smile. Facing AC Ajaccio, the new Burgundy coach obtained a short but precious success (1-0) in a duel between poorly ranked, finished at ten against ten. Author of the only goal of the match from a superb rolled up at the very start of the game, Hamza Sakhi (8th) allowed the Auxerrois and their new coach to end a long series of eight games without a win. AJA revived and pulled out of the red zone (16th).
The number: 1
Winner only twice this season, Brest are still chasing their first success at home this season. Held in check by Reims (0-0), the men of the interim Bruno Grougi are stagnating in 18th place, and have still not experienced the click at Francis-Le Blé.