Everything has already been said, or almost, on the situation of Clermont Foot in Ligue 1. A situation has become critical for a team that squandered the credit it had given itself at the start of the season. Unfortunately, the success of the first meetings disappeared to give way to a negative dynamic.
To the five consecutive defeats that have just taken the Clermont, it is especially the scenario of the last meetings that weighs heavily. Goals conceded stupidly in the last minutes, or even in stoppage time, cost four or five points. This would have allowed to be well wedged in the middle of the Ligue 1 classification and to have a right to error against Lens.
Clermont Foot has grilled all its jokers. But lamenting will be useless, the time is no longer for regrets but for efficiency. Pascal Gastien emphasizes the positive: “we are always there in the game, we are able to raise our level each time against the big teams” even if the coach knows that his team is fragile.
Revolt expected in Montpied
Ligue 1 is a course of high obstacles. And Lens is not the easiest team to get back on track. Even if the Lensois have a little less good with a heavy defeat in Brest and a draw at home in front of Angers, Franck Haise’s team is one of the most beautiful collectives in the championship. Above all, the Lensois have the second attack with 27 goals, only the PSG did better.
To make matters worse, Lensois had five days of recovery against three for Clermont. Two days of difference that could weigh in the second half. And as the infirmary at the Montpied stadium is starting to fill up (Billong is uncertain as is Gastien), Clermont Foot will not have all its strengths. All the more reason to revolt, upset and beat the Lensois. Players rely on the help of supporters to help them make a difference.
The meeting between Clermont Foot and Lens is live tonight on France Bleu Pays d’Auvergne from 8:45 p.m..