There was a real class gap this Wednesday evening at the Gabriel-Montpied stadium between the promoted Clermontois and Racing Club de Strasbourg, now 4th in the standings after their 2-0 victory in Auvergne.
Thanks to a first goal, just before the break, from Kévin Gameiro, then a second scored against his camp by Cédric Hountondji fifteen minutes from the end of the match, Clermont once again remained sterile in attack, and is still waiting for his first goal in 2022. However, Pascal Gastien’s men were able to change the situation in the second half, regaining possession of the ball, but the rare Clermont occasions once again proved the lack of realism of the 17th attack of Ligue 1 (20 goals in 21 games).
we have to get back to work tomorrow, and we won’t have time to gamble with the match against Rennes, which arrives this weekend. -Jordan Tell
With this fourth home defeat of the season, Clermont still finds itself stuck at the bottom of the table, in 17th place in the standings, only one point ahead of Lorient (also beaten last night in a late match at Lille 3-1) and Bordeaux. , which occupies the position of first relegation. The players of Clermont Foot therefore have no more room for maneuver and will absolutely have to find their way back to the net next Sunday, with the reception of Rennes on behalf of the 22nd day of the Ligue 1 championship.
For the striker, Jordan Tell, it is important not to panic: “Yes there is a form of concern after this match, but we knew that the season would be difficult. We did not expect to play the European places anyway, we are promoted and we knew that we would necessarily pass through difficult times. Now, we have to get back to work tomorrow, and we won’t have time to gamble with the match against Rennes, which is coming up this weekend. I’m not going to tell you that we’re kidding in the locker room, but we keep our confidence and we hunker down while waiting to regain efficiency in front of goal.”
For coach Pascal Gastien, it is important to know how to retain the lessons of the past, to get back on the right track as quickly as possible: “We have to hang on, stay united and move forward together, by being a little more efficient now. everyone has to find their level, and be able to take points now, wherever we go to play, it was difficult at the start of the season, it is all the time…”
For Clermont-Foot, it is therefore necessary to know how to turn around and get back on the right track to achieve its objective of remaining in Ligue 1. With the contribution of Lucas Da Cunha, who arrived from Nice during the winter transfer market, c It’s one more string in the offensive bow of Pascal Gastien and his staff. The young attacking midfielder could know his first minutes of play this weekend against Rennes, with the hope of giving a second wind to a Clermont attack in great suffering without his number one scorer Mohamed Bayo, who left to play in the African Cup. nations with his team from Guinea.
The reaction is expected on Sunday at 3 p.m., as part of the 22nd day of Ligue 1. A meeting to follow on France Bleu Pays d’Auvergne, with comments from Emmanuel Moreau.