Nancy maintains a two-point lead at the top after its victory at Châteauroux (2-0), while Orléans, victorious at Le Mans by the same score, is second. First home victory for Paris 13 Atlético.
The postponement of the Boulogne-Concarneau match (Saturday at 7:30 p.m., on FFFtv) made it possible to reshuffle the cards at the top of the standings. Not for Nancy, who relied on a double from Cheikh Touré in the last quarter of an hour to win at Châteauroux who played 35 minutes with ten men (2-0) and who remains well established in the lead, with two points ahead of Orléans, still clinical away from home (2-0) against a Le Mans team who still can't do it at home.
The Castelroussins gave in at the end of the match after being reduced to ten (Photo Sulyvan MANFROI / APL / FFF)
Paris 13 Atlético did better, beating Aubagne FC on their home ground at the Pelé stadium, their first success of the season at home (1-0). Good operation also for Dijon FCO, winner of Versailles (2-0) and who took third place, and for Sochaux, who beat Villefranche in the snow (2-1) and who are now fourth. Note that the two Rouen clubs won, QRM against Valenciennes (2-0) and FC Rouen in Bourg-en-Bresse (1-0).
THE MATCH
Le Mans-Orléans: 0-2
While the Manceaux had the ambition to win a first victory at home this season and pushed from the start, it was Orléans – third in the standings behind Nancy and Concarneau – who were clinical on a perfect counter-attack ended by a Ryan Ponti cross that was lightly touched by Guillaume Khous in front of Nicolas Kocik (7th, 0-1).
The visitors had control of the game on a pitch that was increasingly oily after the snow that had fallen the day before, and Fahd El Khoumisti was very close to doubling the lead with a curling shot that hit the bar (18th). It was only a postponement. Three minutes later, the Orléanais unfolded a magnificent collective action with five one-touch passes, a cross from the outside of the right from Fahd El Khoumisti deflected back by Kevin Testud (21st, 0-2) for Lucas Bretelle to the finish. Unstoppable.
The US Orléans players after the 2-0 goal by Lucas Bretelle (Photo Philippe LE BRECH / APL / FFF)
In the second period, same pattern, with Le Mans monopolizing the ball and Orléans defending intelligently. However, it was Nicolas Kocik who had to deliver a powerful header from Jimmy Halby-Touré who was heading towards the top corner (55th). Just after, Dame Gueye was just ahead of an authoritarian exit from Orléans goalkeeper Vincent Viot. In the 63rd minute, Le Mans thought they had returned to the score but Dame Gueye's return in the area was marred by a hand fault and the goal was canceled by the referee.
And as nothing was going well for the locals this Friday evening, Brice Oggad, who came on at half-time, was sent off for a big foul on Jimmy Halby-Touré (65th). Antoine Rabillard then made his entrance to try everything for all in numerical inferiority. But the score no longer moved, while the locals finished at nine after the exit of Nicolas Tronchet due to injury (87th) and all the changes had been made. Le Mans lost again at home, while Orléans confirmed its excellence away.
WEATHER REPORT
Sochaux scores in the snow
Boris Moltenis does not fear the cold, otherwise he would not play at Sochaux, and he proved it by scoring with a header at the far post, after a cross from Noah Fatar relayed with a header by Mathieu Peybernes (60th). The snowflakes fell heavily on Bonal, but the courageous 8401 who had braved the bad weather were satisfied by the victory of the Lion Cubs (2-1).
THE SCORER
Diawoye Diarra (FC Rouen)
Diawoye Diarra, always him, scores his fifth goal for FC Rouen just before the break against Bourg en Bresse. On a free kick near the touchline hit hard by Jason Mbock, the ball fell to the Bressan near post and who was there to head it back? Diawoye Diarra, of course, who celebrated his 30th birthday a week ago. Last year, he scored 15 goals with Marignane, in 32 matches. He's on time.
THE STATS
8
The series continues for Sochaux who have not lost in 8 matches (4 wins, 4 draws), or 16 points collected.
14
This is the number of points taken away from home by Orléans this season (4 wins and 2 draws for just one defeat).
1
Since the start of the season, Dijon have only lost once at home, on the first day. Since then they have won 4 times and drawn 5 times, and obtained five consecutive clean sheets in their stadium.
0
Villefranche Beaujolais and Valenciennes, both beaten, have still not won away.
THE DECLARATION
“We know that we are in a points race until the break, and then we hope that we will find greater stability in terms of the squad. The other teams in the top 5 won, so it was important to show that we are here, that we are hanging in there.”
Karim Mokeddem, coach of FC Sochaux
