Nice loses its nerves in Clermont (0-1)
Lucien Favre had pointed out the gradual erosion of his team in the last two matches, which had cost two points against Strasbourg (1-1) and a frustrating defeat at Maccabi Tel-Aviv in the first leg of the Europa League Conference ( 0-1). This Sunday, OGC Nice did not wait for the return of the locker room to show its shortcomings of the moment (0-1 defeat). Clermont deceived the defense of Kasper Schmeichel from the 6th minute: following a poorly cleared ball, Saif-Eddine Khaoui found himself in the right place and scored with an effective cross shot.
Galvanized by this early scoring opener, Pascal Gastien’s men multiplied the runs forward – especially through Jim Allevinah -, one of which resulted in a big chance for Cham (20th) .
The Niçois had already found themselves in the position of the hunter at the start of the season in Toulouse and they had snatched the point from the draw thanks to the winning entry of Aaron Ramsey. This time, their run behind the score ended much less happily. Mario Lemina and Jean-Clair Todibo were sent off – the first for an uncontrolled tackle from behind and the second for a gesture of humor – and the OGCN remain blocked at two points. Not ideal before playing his European future Thursday against Maccabi Tel Aviv.
Auxerre launches its season in Montpellier (2-1)
Benoît Costil’s bad series continued, for at least one meeting, this Sunday in Montpellier. The Auxerre goalkeeper conceded a goal for his 29th consecutive match in Ligue 1. But no one will blame him in Burgundy. The French international can’t do much on the goal and he made decisive saves at the end of the match – he notably repelled attempts by Savanier (79th) and Makouana (83rd) – which allowed the promoted to snatch his first victory of the season (2-1).
Mamadou Sakho lived an asymmetrical afternoon to that of Benoît Costil. He who had not scored since November 2017, with Crystal Palace in the Premier League, flew into the air to open the scoring with a header (39th). He then provoked, despite himself, the expulsion of M’Baye Niang seven minutes after his entry into play (52nd), while his team was preparing to play the whole second period at ten after the red received by Khalil Fayad (46th).
Sounded on the action with Niang, the former Parisian missed his end of the match. He was powerless on the equalizer from Nuno Da Costa (70th) before causing the penalty converted by Mathias Autret two minutes later. The two teams finished at nine in an electric end to the match, Da Costa and Savanier having received a direct red, but it was Auxerre who won their duel.
Toulouse and Lorient provide the show (2-2)
The show is indeed back in Toulouse. As expected, the Stadium was furnished for the reception of Lorient and the 23,000 people present went through all the emotions. The cold shower, to begin with, when Armand Laurienté converted a free kick with the help of the bar from the first seconds of the game. The hot shot, then, when Vincent Le Goff presented himself alone at the far post before come up against Maxime Dupé (31st). The joy, in stride, when Rafael Ratao equalized, taking advantage of a failed and unforgivable recovery from Julien Laporte (31st). The relief, at the end of the first period, when Maxime Dupé dismissed the penalty from Terem Moffi (41st).
The Violets supporters were not at the end of their surprise. They experienced deliverance, on returning from the locker room, when Thijs Dallinga placed Toulouse in front following a mess. And they ended in disappointment, ten minutes from the end, when Ibrahima Koné converted a penalty obtained by Laurienté who is about to leave. Taken over by an enterprising Breton team, Le Téfécé still validated its good start to the season by remaining undefeated and positioning itself in 6th provisional place.
Brest have fun in Angers (3-1)
It seems far away, the brilliant summer achieved by Angers in 2021 (3 wins and a draw). A year later, summer anxiety has replaced the beautiful promises and the SCO has only two points on the evening of the third day. At home against Brest, he suffered a nightmarish first half with two goals conceded and one player sent off, Halid Sabanovic. The Brestois were carried by a fiery duo: Jérémy Le Douaron and Youcef Belaïli. Already very prominent against Marseille last weekend, Le Douaron offered themselves a double. He victoriously took over a corner from Belaïli (10th) before adjusting Bernardoni in two stages (38th).
For his part, Belaïli made a double pass from a corner. The second offering benefited Achraf who, lonely in the area, increased the score (65th). The reduction of the gap signed Sofiane Boufal less than five minutes later did not reduce the pleasure of Brest who will be able to celebrate their first victory of the season, before returning home to welcome Montpellier.