A psychological ascendancy more than accounting. This is the challenge of this first clash at the top between the two biggest budgets in Ligue 2 (€50 million for FC Lorient and €30 million for Paris FC), with bloated numbers, candidates claimed and assumed for the rise in Ligue 1.
“This Parisian team announced its colors at the start of the season. She has given herself the means, with major recruitment, which should continue this winter,” anticipates FC Lorient coach Olivier Pantaloni, who appeared more tense than usual this week, while making an effort to put the result of this match into perspective for the rest of the season. “It's not a turning point, because there will still be a lot of points to take. But, for them as for us, this match is necessarily of particular importance. We have been fighting for the rankings since the start of the season, so there is still a question of supremacy. »
Paris autumn champion in case of victory
Paris FC (31 points) has not left first place since the eighth day. FC Lorient (30 points) has only fallen from second place once in two months, in a championship which remains very open, with the top six teams within six points. The winner, if there is one, will spend the holidays on the throne. Paris could even be symbolically crowned autumn champion on Saturday, while Lorient would still have to wait until the last day of the first leg (Saturday January 4, in Laval). In the event of a draw, both teams will retain their rank. But a defeat could downgrade Lorient, within gunshot of Metz, which travels to Annecy on Saturday evening, and Dunkirk, which receives Caen on Monday evening. “This is an opportunity to make a big difference and take the lead. It's always better to be at the front. But it won’t be dramatic if we don’t win,” summarizes experienced defender Julien Laporte.
Lorient strong in attack and at home, Paris strong in defense and away
This Ligue 2 shock will also see the best attack (Lorient, 28 goals scored) and the best defense (Paris, 11 goals conceded) in the championship scrapped. “We may perhaps encounter more difficulty opening the score and scoring. We will have to be patient and have as little waste as possible in our game,” warns Pantaloni, who expects an open match, between “two playing teams.” “Good publicity for Ligue 2,” rejoices Laporte. For FC Lorient, the challenge will also be to remain undefeated at home, after seven victories in as many matches in their home at Moustoir, which will be almost full. Facing the best away team, with five wins for two defeats and a draw. A shock, a real one!
