The race for the podium: Diony carries the Angevin leader, Auxerre overthrows Laval
Impressive leader, Angers ended the year with a fourth success in a row against Guingamp (1-0). As often in recent times, the SCO was carried by its scorer Loïs Diony, impeccable in recovering a cross from Zinedine Ferhat (24th). His third goal in three matches, the tenth since the start of the season, validated the domination of Alexandre Dujeux’s team, crowned fall champion.
Behind the SCO, the clash between Lavalthird before the day, and Auxerre, second, was very lively and the AJA managed to overthrow the Tangos at Francis-Le Basser (1-3). Laval, however, opened the scoring with a cross from Thibault Vargas taken over by Amine Cherni (28th), but Auxerre reacted very quickly, with the equalizer from Ado Onaiwu (32nd). Christophe Pélissier’s team took the lead on the hour mark, when Lassine Sinayoko, in great form this December, scored after a pass from Gaëtan Perrin (60th). Gauthier Hein, after a classy technical gesture, folded the match (69th). Auxerre remains two points behind Angers, but Laval fell from the podium.
In ambush, Grenoble took advantage of the defeat of the Mayennais to move into third place, winning in Lorient against Concarneau (3-0). Pape Meissa Ba launched the Isérois upon receiving a superb ball over the defense of Lenny Joseph (37th). The two men then reversed roles, when Joseph made the break on a service from the first scorer (46th). Pape Meissa Ba then signed a double (85th), to savor the return to the podium.
Bordeaux and Saint-Etienne restart the machine
After a very difficult series of six matches without a victory in L2 (five defeats then a draw), Saint Etienne finally found success by beating Bastia (3-2), to Geoffroy-Guichard. The first success of the Olivier Dall’Oglio era, named to the Saint-Etienne bench on December 12, took shape very quickly, with a double from Dylan Chambost in the first ten minutes. The attacking midfielder first took a cross from Mathieu Cafaro, author of his fifth assist of the season (6th), before scoring in a foxed shot from Ibrahim Sissoko (9th). Chambost was then the decisive passer for Cafaro (63rd). Bastia brought a thrill to the Chaudron, returning from a penalty from Migouel Alfarela (71st) and a goal from Cheick Keita (77th). But the Greens resisted to finish the year 2023 in 7th place, two points from the top 5.
Also on a negative series (2 defeats, one draw), Bordeaux found a smile again on the field of Dunkirk (0-2). The Girondins quickly took the lead, thanks to Zan Vipotnik’s 4th goal of the season, on a cross from Jérémy Livolant (4th). Alberth Elis made the break (71st) to consolidate a valuable success for Albert Riera’s team, which will not spend the holidays in the red zone, with three points ahead of 17th place.
Troyes frustrated, Ajaccio serene
For his second on the bench TroyesDavid Guion believed he won his first victory, on the field of Pau, fifth. ESTAC made the difference through Rafiki Saïd, precise to conclude an opening from Ismaël Boura (56th), but was joined in the last moments (88th), conceding a goal from Moussa Sylla (1-1).
Invincible at home,AC Ajaccio continued its streak to climb to sixth position, overcoming a team of Valenciennes who no longer responds at all (2-1). The Corsicans opened the scoring with young Ben Touré (20), taking advantage of a catastrophic alignment to exploit a pass from Riad Nouri (8th). VA came back through Yassine Haouari (31st), but the northern club quickly put its head back under water, when its goalkeeper Jean Louchet completely missed a clearance to allow Yoann Touzghar (43rd) to put ACA back in front.
The boiling duel between Annecy And Rodez, who became rivals after the incredible scenario at the end of last season, turned in favor of the Ruthenois (2-1), who quickly took the advantage thanks to a goal from Andreas Houtondji (8th). The Haut-Savoyards raised the tone in the second half, with the equalizer from Antoine Larose (55th), but Rodez regained control through Lorenzo Rajot (66th) to drag Annecy to 17th place.
In the soft underbelly of the ranking, Amiens And Caen drew (0-0). After beating Bordeaux (3-2) and winning a point in Bastia (0-0), the Quevilly-Rouen by Olivier Échouafni has once again scratched an important point on the ground of Paris FC (2-2). Sambou Soumano (24th) and Mamadou Camara (67th) responded to goals from Yoan Kore (19th) and Lamine Diaby-Fadiga (47th).