15 games that it lasts. Since the 4th day of Ligue 1, the team which occupied second place in the standings before a day has never won. Angers, Marseille, Lens or Rennes have broken their teeth on this cursed jump seat since the end of August. Le Gym also fell twice when it already occupied this second place (defeat against Montpellier 0-1 (13th day) and against Metz 0-1 (15th day)). Before the winter break, it was OM which lost feathers in the race for Europe against Reims (1-1) and left this PSG dolphin costume at the Gym, winner 2-1 against Lens.
Who wants 2nd place?
This second place is losing its resources to the teams who dare to seize it and they are paradoxically numerous to covet it. Only six points separate Nice (2nd) from Lens (9th). The fight for Europe therefore promises to be exciting until the end of May. And this first stage in Brest this Sunday (1 p.m.) is not a health trail for the Aiglons. Beaten here last season to start the year 2021, the Rouge et Noir hope to do better in 2022 and repeat the performance of the first part of the season. Winner 2-1 of the Bretons at the Allianz Riviera, the Gym had undoubtedly delivered its best match of the season. But looking back, this game played just before the October break feels like a tipping point for both teams.
Brest transformed since the first leg
When the Aiglons then too often stammered their football, the Bretons took off. Only one defeat in the last twelve meetings since this first leg. Michel Der Zakarian’s players have notably strung together six straight victories in the heart of autumn, a club record. A little less lively at the end of 2021, the Bretons got off to a good start in 2022 and qualified without difficulty against a diminished Bordeaux in the round of 16 of the Coupe de France last weekend (3-0). Like the Aiglons, they are almost complete with in particular the return to the group of former Niçois Christophe Hérelle.