So, yes, there was only one small point for each. But the emotions were for everyone. If Guingamp has further reduced its chances of picking up fifth place, and if Saint-Étienne has not secured its place of second in the ranking, the opposition of the two was beautiful and cheerful. “It sparkled, it was a very pleasant, very lively match, between two teams who wanted to win,” said Stéphane Dumont.
The dark side
The Guingamp coach nonetheless emerged “frustrated” from this unbridled match. A challenge, ultimately, while his team was trailing 2-0 at halftime.
Without being frankly dominated, his training was picked at the worst times. After a corner pushed back the first time, Chambost’s perfect cross found the head of a Moueffek who was not close enough (0-1, 22′). And then Lobry tackled Cafaro too late who himself converted the penalty (0-2, 45’+2 sp).
“We were penalized for another set piece, our recurring problem, and we conceded this painful penalty just before half-time,” breathed Stéphane Dumont. The dark side of this En Avant which also suffered from its lack of efficiency, notably when Guillaume saw Briançon push his head back with a miraculous foot in the air (31′).
The light face
This lack of realism took on the appearance of bad luck when Phiri, barely coming on, found the crossbar from close range (58′). But the spinning Mbuku had missed the 3-0 ball shortly before (49′) and it was then that Guingamp put on his best face. This other side, clear this one, made of desire and commitment. “We continued to move forward while accepting a form of imbalance, we fought until the end,” praised the Guingamp coach.
The time for regrets has now passed, even if a victory on Friday at Paris FC would revive the hope of securing the Top 5 and the accession play-offs. But the two goals scored in the second period show to what extent this Guingamp was not so far from the top this season. El Ouazzani first transformed the penalty obtained by Vallier (1-2, 67′ sp). Then Siwe threw himself at the far post to convert Merghem’s deflected free kick (2-2, 84′). “I put my head in, I didn’t ask myself any questions,” jubilantly exclaimed the man who had already scored in Dunkirk angrily. We showed a lot of intensity in the second half. We gave people a spectacle, goals and joy.”
It is finally when they are released, freed from major issues, that these Guingampais fully give their measure. The leitmotif of the last two matches (Paris FC, Stade Lavallois) is here. “If we have fun on the pitch, the score will reflect it,” predicts Pierre Lemonnier. So, take some, gentlemen, and we’ll see!
Datasheet
Arbitrator : Mr. Paradise.
Spectators : 11,224.
GOALS. Guingamp: El Ouazzani (67′ sp), Siwe (84′); Saint-Etienne: Moueffek (22′), Cafaro (45’+2).
Warnings. Guingamp: Sivis (90’+4); Saint-Etienne: Cardona (83′), Chambost (90’+1), Larsonneur (90’+3).
Exclusion. Guingamp: Sivis (90’+4).
GUINGAMP : Basilio (cap.) – Sivis, Lemonnier, Roux, Vallier – Merghem, Sidibé (Phiri, 55′), Lobry (Louiserre, 55′), Picard (Sagna, 84′) – El Ouazzani, Guillaume (Siwe, 74′ ). Coach: Stéphane Dumont.
Not entered into play: Niasse (g), Manceau, Bonnet. Coach: Stéphane Dumont.
SAINT ETIENNE : Larsonneur – Pétrot, Nadé, Briançon (cap.), Maçon (Appiah, 77′) – Tardieu (Fomba, 90′) – Moueffek, Chambost – Mbuku (Rivera, 90′), Cardona, Cafaro (Bentayg, 65′) .
Not entered into play: Green (g), Batubinsika, Bouchouari. Coach: Olivier Dall’Oglio.
