Clermont Foot achieved a convincing success against the second in the standings, Lorient (2-1), this Friday evening, at Montpied. For the first of Laurent Batlles and the 200th of Johan Gastien, the Auvergnats found a frank smile. Here’s what we learned from this second home victory this season.
The match:
It’s up to you to choose: in Clermont, there will be the anti-Bichards, those who will note that the CF63 has achieved a second success since the departure of the former coach; they will face the pro-Batlles, who will see the hand of the new coach in the victory this Friday evening, against Lorient (2-1).
And then there are all the others, those who will be content to know that Clermont Foot is doing much better, in 11th place and four points from a top 5 that was still very vague a few days ago. After Laval, the FCL paid the price for the awakening of the Auvergnats, convincing winners of second in the ranking (2-1).
Ligue 2: successful debut for Laurent Batlles with Clermont Foot against Lorient (reread our live stream)
Damien Da Silva, just before the break, then Maïdine Douane a quarter of an hour from the end, allowed Laurent Batlles to score his first on the Clermont bench, while the Merlus only maintained the suspense thanks to a penalty from Tosin, in the 81st.
Before going to Ajaccio, the CF63 really found a smile and a little bit of their football in Montpied which was also delighted. In Corsica, at the current roadblock (16th), he will have the opportunity to move further away from the red zone, next Friday (8 p.m.). Because this is, like the top 5, four points behind Clermontois…
The player: Maïdine Douane
Two matches, two goals, two victories. Maïdine Douane is the image of Clermont Foot – unless it is the opposite – and that benefits everyone in the group. After sealing his team’s victory in Mayenne on Tuesday evening (1-2), the winger did it again this Friday, thanks to a clear shot, fired from the inside of the right, from 20 meters.
The action in the 76th minute then gave CF63 a two-goal lead and allowed the 22-year-old to deliver another convincing performance. Very restless on his left side, the winger posed difficulties for the Lorient defense. If he manages to simplify things further, especially in the last pass, he will certainly reach a milestone.
The number: 200
The story will be remembered that the path of Laurent Batlles’ first match on the Clermont Foot bench crossed that of Johan Gastien’s 200th, in the jersey of the Auvergne club. A milestone that the 36-year-old midfielder, reinforced in his role as captain by the new Auvergne coach, has crossed in his own way, by going back to the coals and trying to best direct the relaunch of Clermont Foot, as he does since 2018. But he also received his 44th yellow card with Clermont, in the 20th minute, before causing Lorient’s penalty, after catching Pagis’ foot in the area (79th).
He could also have imitated Maïdine Douane by scoring again, after his goal in Laval on Tuesday. But his recovery in the 50th went too far off target for that.
The technical sheet
CLERMONT-FERRAND (stade Gabriel-Montpied). Clermont Foot beats Lorient 2-1 (half-time: 1-0). Referee: Mr. Lesage.
Buts. For Clermont: Da Silva (45th), Douane (76th). Lorient: Tosin (81st, sp).
Warnings. A Clermont: Gastien (21e), Armougom (90e+4). Lorient: James (25e), Katseris (44e)
Clermont Foot. Ndiaye; Konaté, Da Silva, Jacquet, Diallo; Keïta (Ackra, 69th), J. Gastien (cap.); Bassouamina (Diop, 62nd), Saivet (Armougom, 82nd), Douane (Magnin, 82nd); Diedhiou (Baaloudj, 69th).
Not used: Guivarch (l.), Mwimba.
FC Lorient. Mvogo ; Adjei, Talbi, Report, James (Yongwa, 78th); Katseris, Abergel (cap), Makengo (Avom Ebong, 78th); Mugisha (Pagis, 61st), Soumano (Bamba, 61st, Ponceau 73rd), Tosin
Not used: Leroy (l.), Silva.
Laurent Calmut
