Second in Ligue 2 with 23 points, FC Lorient is in good shape. After the frustration of the draw (3-3) conceded in Rodez, Olivier Pantaloni's men relaunched at home by winning (4-2) against Dunkirk, Tuesday November 29. At Moustoir, the Merlus once again showed character by reversing the trend of the match, thus allowing them to sign a fifth success at home since the start of the 2024-2025 financial year. But this Friday, it is away from home that we will have to manage to take points, something that the Lorientais have lacked since the start of the season with only two victories in six matches.
In Puy-de-Dôme, the context will be particular since the CF63 recently changed coach by appointing Laurent Batlles to succeed Sébastien Bichard. Clermont is 12th in Ligue 2 and far from its ambitions.
The stake of the match
During the last day of the championship, FC Lorient carried out a good accounting operation. The Merlus took three points when Paris FC stalled in Amiens (0-0). The Bretons are only two units behind the Parisians and have widened the gap on third (FC Annecy) which has 19 points. In Clermont, Lorient can therefore intensify their pressure on the leader and consolidate their place at the top of the table. Also, the Merlus must improve their away record and have in Auvergne the opportunity to continue with a sixth consecutive match without defeat.
The pre-match statement
Olivier Pantaloni on the uncertainty caused by the change of coach at Clermont:
“The situation is rather uncomfortable. We have images from the last match where it was the assistant who managed the match against Laval. In the meantime, there was the appointment of Laurent Batlles. There is a lot of uncertainty regarding the system and the players who will appear on the scoresheet. It's complicated for us to properly prepare for the meeting. A change of coach always brings dynamics within a group, we will have to expect a very complicated start to the match and we will have to immediately get into the match. It's a team that likes to have possession, that's the philosophy of this club. We will have to be able to turn our backs at certain times to get our game back.”
READ ALSO. PORTRAIT. FC Lorient: “I dreamed of these moments”, Arthur Avom Ebong, from shadow to light
The probable compositions
CLERMONT : 1 Ndiaye – 15 Konaté, 12 Da Silva, 97 Jacquet, 31 Diallo – 11 Douane, 25 Gastien (c), 6 Keita – 10 Saivet, 17 Diop, 18 Diedhiou
Substitutes : Guivarch, Mwimba, Armougom, Akra, Magnin, Bassouamina, Baaloudj.
Coach : Laurent Batlles
FC LORIENT : 38 Mvogo – 2 Silva, 5 Mendy, 32 Adjei, 44 Yongwa – 77 Katseris, 62 Avom Ebong, 6 Abergel (c), 21 Ponceau – 28 Soumano, 27 Tosin
Substitutes : Leroy (g), James, Laporte, Talbi, Makengo, Pagis, Mvuka, Bamba.
Coach : Olivier Pantaloni
Referee: Mr. Lesage
