Soccer. SM Caen sinks into crisis after another defeat in Ajaccio

In the match of fear, Stade Malherbe Caen went to Ajaccio on Friday January 17, 2025. For the occasion, Bruno Baltazar made strong choices, notably including the start of rookie Alex Mousounda in place of Romain Thomas. If there has been improvement in sequence, SM Caen still has a third defeat in as many matches in 2025 and finds itself penultimate in Ligue 2 (2-1).

Caen under Corsican domination

The first half was in favor of the Corsicans who took a series of corners, forcing Mandrea to remain vigilant on his line or to go out into the air. SM Caen got a big scare when Lorenzo Rajot was booked for a foul just outside the area. The former Rodez man is warned and offers a good free kick to Ajaccio, who does not hit the target (18'). For long minutes, the Corsicans retained possession and forced SM Caen to restart under pressure.

The first real phase of Caen possession comes a few minutes before half-time. Lamine Sy and Godson Kyeremeh combine in the right lane. The Caen winger crosses at the far post, but Ilyes Najim cannot resume without making a mistake (39'). In the process, the tone rises between the two teams after a foul by Anziani on Noé Lebreton. The Corsican midfielder is warned, but discussions are tense between the two teams. The first shot on target was a Corsican header after a well-taken corner, but Mandréa intervened to keep the two teams level (45'+2).

Another goal conceded at the end of the match

After the break, Bruno Baltazar did not remain without reacting and launched Michaël Le Bihan in place of Lorenzo Rajot who was warned in the first period. Caen brought the first thrill of the second period to a free kick from Quentin Lecoeuche at the far post towards Brahim Traoré who had gone up. But the ball is too long and the Caen defender cannot recover correctly (50′). Caen got better in the second half and managed to bring out the balls better. The Rouge et Bleu try to move the Corsican block and end up finding a good gap for Lecoeuche who gets a corner. The ball is vicious, but no weedman is able to take it back into the area (57′). It was finally at the hour mark that the score was resolved when, after a good recovery in midfield, Noé Lebreton launched Ilyes Najim in depth who was able to cross towards Alexandre Mendy. The ball is well given and that's all it takes for Mendy to find the net again and allow SM Caen to take the lead (1-0, 63').

Ajaccio tries to come back immediately, but the two Corsican attackers fail to recover the ball placed in the center by Chegra (65'). It is from a set piece that the solution will emerge for Ajaccio in the person of Axel Bamba who perfectly takes a corner taken by Baretto from the penalty spot (1-1.70′). Caen is not discouraged and puts the pressure back on Ajaccio. Tidiam Gomis, who came into play after the Corsican goal, is thrown into the left lane and crosses back for Kyeremeh who hesitates and ends up losing the ball (73'). Caenn is more offensive in the second act and the ball circulates better around the Corsican surface, but no shot comes to challenge the Ajaccio goalkeeper. And it is finally the Corsicans, from a new corner, who will take the advantage thanks to Aboubakary Kanté (2-1, 83′). Ajaccio manages the end of the match and gives nothing to SM Caen to end the match.

The Malherbistes failed to bring home a point from their trip to Corsica and conceded their fifth defeat in a row in all competitions. The Caennais are 17th in Ligue 2 and always seem closer to the National.

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