The French-speaking Challenge League clubs went through all the feelings this Friday evening. For the 18th day, synonymous with the end of the first round, Xamax lost at home against Aarau (1-3), Stade Lausanne Ouchy held the leader Thun in check (1-1) and Nyon lost imposed on Schaffhausen (0-1).
After a promising start to the season, the Rouge et Noir have been in free fall for two and a half months. Beaten at La Maladière, they conceded their seventh defeat in ten matches. A sad dynamic which relegates them to 6th place, while they were still co-leaders at the end of September.
Jesse Hautier had put them in an ideal position by opening the score after just two minutes. But, shaky defensively, they opened doors into which Aarau rushed to equalize (Valon Fazliu, 33rd). Uli Forte’s squad gave in two more times in the second period, ahead of David Acquah (69th) and Nikola Gjorgjev (79th). In the meantime, they found themselves in numerical superiority following the expulsion of Henri Koide (74th). A situation from which they will not have had time to take advantage.
At the same time, Nyon confirmed its recovery in Schaffhausen thanks to a goal from Elias Pasche (30th). Already winners of Xamax last week (2-1), the Vaudois extricate themselves from the last place they occupied since the 9th day. They find themselves 8th, ahead of Stade Lausanne Ouchy and Schaffhausen who have one game less.
The SLO, moreover, did not come close to bringing down the leader at Pontaise. Against the run of play, the Stadistes scored on their first shot of the match, a smashed header from Elies Mahmoud (23rd). They held the three points until the 87th and the equalizer signed Hélios Sessolo (87th).
Leading with 33 points, Thun could be joined by Carouge if the Genevans win in Vaduz on Saturday (6 p.m.).
