This is another very auspicious Sunday outside for FC Lorient! Two weeks after winning in Brest in the derby (0-1), the Merlus have just won this time (0-2) in Clermont for the 28th day of Ligue 1. They sign on this occasion a superb operation in the race to maintain by winning against a direct competitor who sees his small margin melting on the others poorly classified.
Second consecutive away success, a first since 2017
The Lorient residents also come out of the red zone thanks to this second consecutive success away from home, a performance that FCL achieves in L1 for the first time since 2017 and successes in Nancy (2-3, March 18) and Lyon (1-4, April 8) … he who remained on 30 straight games without a win on the road before aligning these two rank victories.
Koné scores a third time coming off the bench
However, the case was not very well on board after a very poor first period during which the Clermontois lacked realism. In the second period, the FCL did not miss it. Once again off the bench, Ibrahima Koné opened the scoring in the 72nd minute by recovering a ball at the feet of Hountondji, who was very poorly served under pressure by his captain Gastien. The Malian scored his third goal since arriving in the winter transfer window, each time after coming into play.
For the first time in its history in L1, the FCL connects three trips without conceding a goal
Then the FCL doubled the bet three minutes later when, on a free kick from Monconduit, Gastien deflected the ball with a header, which Pétrot sent from the shoulder into the back of the net. The Auvergne defender of Merlus scored, at 24, his first goal in Ligue 1 and completed a success that the Lorient people held until the end. For the fourth time in the last six games played, FCL did not concede a goal. It is also the first time in its history in the elite that the Lorient club has made three trips without conceding a goal (to Monaco, Brest then Clermont).