While its trip to Lille a week ago was postponed due to the coronavirus cluster in its ranks, FC Lorient is launching its return phase in Ligue 1 this Sunday against Angers for the 21st day of the championship. Currently 18th and play-offs, the Hakes, like last year, are in the red zone with an urgent need for points. And are forced to sign a return phase of much better quality than the first to hope to save their skins.
Accounting and in people’s minds, the context is different
Corn the situation is not quite the same on several counts. Accounting first: when it totaled 12 points at mid-season last year, the FCL has 16 in its bag this year. And when Lorient was off the hook five units behind 17th place a year ago, it is only two behind 15th position this year. With, to date, six teams fighting for maintenance.
We are in a difficult situation
The situation is therefore not as bad. “Corn we are not going to say to ourselves that it is easy because we managed to hold on last year. No, we are in a difficult situation” first warns coach Christophe Pélissier whose team, by achieving an impressive return phase (5th team in Ligue 1) last year, was able to move from 19th position to 16th place on the evening of the 38th day. .
We showed on the first part, on certain matches, that we had the level
Les Merlus, most of whose players are still at the club, have the experience of this scenario. “As much, last year, we could have doubts about our level. As much, this year, we showed on the first part, on certain matches, that we had the level. What has been lacking a lot is regularity“takes on the technician of an FCL not spared by injuries with up to seven absentees in a group limited in quantity.
The regularity required on the return phase
And if the FCL sublimated against the big by beating Monaco, Lille, Nice and by drawing against PSG or Lyon, on the other hand, it did not beat any direct competitor for maintenance. So, from this second part of the season, Christophe Pélissier expects “this regularity in our performances which will, precisely, make us more efficient“Towards maintenance. To start against Angers this Sunday.