Among the last six elite teams, only one won on the 11th day of the championship: Montpellier. Find out the form of the teams who fight every week to maintain their place in the elite of French football, with the 11th episode of the Ligue 2 barometer proposed by the ML2 editorial staff.
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A ray of sunshine at La Mosson
Last of Ligue 1, the Montpellier HSC was five points behind the closest rival (Le Havre) before this weekend of competition. The Pailladins finally reacted after five consecutive defeats (eight in total) by beating a Stade Brestois perhaps blunted by its European exploits (3-1). The success is fitting since the MHSC celebrated its 50th anniversary on Sunday, with a special red jersey. In the absence of Téji Savanier, it was another experienced executive who shone, Wahbu Khazri, author of a direct free kick. Losing playing time under the orders of Michel Der Zakarian, the Tunisian attacking midfielder has once again become a central element of the team under the orders of Jean-Louis Gasset. The coach who arrived three weeks ago takes his first points and gets the “click” he was hoping for. After the break, a trip to Saint-Étienne (16th) awaits the Héraultais. Defeat prohibited under penalty of being defeated again.
Le HAC block
Eight goals scored in 11 days. This is obviously too little to Le Havre (17th). On Sunday, the Ciels & Marine tried a lot (10 shots) against Reims but were not rewarded: 0-3 defeat. Added to the usual lack of efficiency was the defensive imbalance for the HAC. Whistled two weeks earlier by Stade Océane, coach Didier Digard was this time spared by the public… before receiving a red card for protest after 23 minutes. The little reinforcement in the summer transfer window, due to finances, continues to be felt. The Le Havre followers, however, must have regretted a little more the departure of Luka Elsner, sitting on the bench at the Stade de Reims on Sunday. The trip to Nantes on November 24 promises to be crucial for everyone.
No electroshock in Nantes and Rennes
The FC Nantes (14th), in fact, continues to worry: third consecutive defeat on the lawn of Lens (2-3) on Saturday. Week after week, coach Antoine Kombouaré continues to warn of the urgency of the situation in the rankings, without however provoking the expected reaction: three draws and five defeats since the start of September. The Canaries led 2-1 in the 85th minute at Bollaert before Ojediran's equalizer and a cruel goal from Thomasson, taking advantage of a big communication error between Nicolas Pallois and Alban Lafont.
The rival of the FCN, the Stade Rennais (13th), has one more point but is already further along in the crisis. Last week, the Rouge et Noir parted ways with Julien Stéphan. At home against Toulouse (0-2), his probable successor, Jorge Sampaoli watched the match from the stand and saw his team concede the final score during the first half hour. To make matters worse, SRFC saw their goalkeeper, Steve Mandanda, leave injured at half-time. The reunion promises to be interesting between the ex-international goalkeeper and the Argentinian coach who relegated him to the sidelines when both men played at Olympique de Marseille.
No miracle for Angers and Sainté
After winning his first two victories, including a more than unexpected one in Monaco, Angers (15th) challenged PSG. The march was far too high for Alexandre Dujeux's men with four goals conceded before the break. A slight relaxation by the reigning champions allowed Lepaul then Biumla to reduce the score in added time: defeat 2-4.
No victory either for Saint-Étienne who remains a barrage (16th). The Greens lost to their great rival, Olympique Lyonnais. ASSE has not won against its neighbor since October 6, 2019 in Geoffroy-Guichard. To find a Saint-Etienne victory on Lyon soil, we have to go back to March 2014. In the shoes of a promoted this season, ASSE was not yet in a position to challenge regional supremacy
European rhythm for Auxerre and Toulouse
Things are going much better for them! With 10 points taken in four days since the international break in October, AJ Auxerre (9th) and the Toulouse FC (10th) displays the best dynamic behind that of PSG. The Auxerrois opened the ball of the 11th day by ridiculing OM at the Vélodrome (3-1). Sunday, TFC secured a third consecutive victory in Rennes. Enough to comfortably move away from the red zone.
The Ligue 1 ranking:
11. Strasbourg : 13 pts –2)
12. Brest: 13pts (-5)
13. Rennes: 11 pts (-5)
14. Nantes: 10 pts (-3)
15. Angers : 10 pts (-7)
16. ASSE : 10 pts (-15)
17. Le Havre: 9 pts (-15)
18. Montpellier : 7 pts (-20)
Photo ©Johnny Fidelin/Icon Sport
