The 19th day of Ligue 2 took place on Tuesday, December 21. For the last matches of the year 2021, a main stake animated the evening: the title of champion of fall. Halfway, it is Ajaccio which leads the way towards the rise in Ligue 1, but the fight is intense behind with Toulouse and Paris FC in ambush. In contrast, Nancy is gradually sinking towards relegation, with only two small victories on the clock since the start of the L2 season.
Ajaccio, the strong autumn champion
Five players on the flank because of the Covid-19, Ajaccio was not at best when it received Grenoble. But the goal Riad Nouri (50th), started because of absences, was enough for the Corsicans to win an eleventh victory this season, the sixth on this score (1-0). With only 20 goals scored in 19 games, the Ajacciens could not aim for the climb, if their defense was not the most hermetic: only 8 goals conceded. And 12 matches without conceding a single goal.
Rhys Healey, the best gunner yet scorer
Toulouse thought they had made a step towards the title of autumn champion by opening the scoring in the 3rd minute in Nîmes, on a realization of Nicoalsen served by Branco van den Boomen. It has not happened. But two of its leaders have refueled.
12 – Branco van den Boomen is the 1st player to deliver 12 assists in the first 19 days of a Ligue 2 season since Opta analyzed the competition (2014/15). Santa Claus . @ToulouseFC #NOTFC pic.twitter.com/9oAy2Ul5kr
– OptaJean (@OptaJean) December 21, 2021
Because the TFC not only has the best passer in the championship, but also the top scorer with Rhys Healey. The Englishman therefore doubled the hour of play, to consolidate his position as the best gunner with now 13 achievements in 19 days. The Toulousains prevail (2-1) and are the first dolphins of the Corsicans. With this duo, Toulouse can see the future in pink.
Paris FC well underway
The Parisian club would have done without the light put on him during the violence on the sidelines of the Coupe de France match against Lyon on Friday. Fourth in Ligue 2 before this 19th day, Paris FC gained a place, taking advantage of Auxerre’s home setback (against Le Havre 3-2) and its success over Amiens (1-0). The goal of Morgan Guilavogiui especially allowed the men of Thierry Laurey to register a sixth consecutive victory. No one has done so well this season in Ligue 2.
Nancy the increasingly red lantern
They dreamed of a click. After the Coupe de France victory over Troyes (on penalties) last weekend, the Nancéiens thought they had launched their season. The reception of Dijon, eliminated for its part from the Cup, was the ideal moment. But the two small victories since the start of the season in Ligue 2 have weighed heavily. Just like the powerful strike, lodged under the crossbar by Alexandru Dobre (23rd), then the 30m volley from Valentin Jacob (78th) reduced their hopes to nothing (0-3). AS Nancy-Lorraine is already four points behind the 19th, and eight on the first non-relegation.