A last effort before the international break. After the Monegasque card against a PSG on vacation (3-0), four games were played on the lawns of Ligue 1, Sunday March 20. If Rennes continues to shine, Bordeaux and Metz are bogged down in the depths of the classification. Back to the highlights of Sunday afternoon.
Performance: Rennes carbide at full throttle
But where will Stade Rennais stop? Flamboyant, the Breton club glued a tennis set to FC Metz (6-1). Routine or almost, for the Rouge et Noir who have scored at least four goals eight times this season. Thanks to this success, Rennes climbs to second place and is guaranteed to end the day on the podium, regardless of the result of Marseille-Nice on Sunday evening. Better still, Bruno Génésio’s team is now ahead of PSG in the lead of the best attacks in Ligue 1, with 63 goals.
The essential Martin Terrier has scored twice and culminates in 16 personal achievements in Ligue 1, just behind leader Wissam Ben Yedder (17). Yet rarely a holder, Serhou Guirassy planted him three times. It is an understatement to say that the elimination in the Europa League Conference on Thursday did not affect the morale of Rennes. Quite the opposite of Messins more relegated than ever.
Spite: Bordeaux sinks into ridicule
By force, it is difficult to find the adjectives to describe the ridiculousness of the Bordeaux services. In this case, the Gironde “performance” against Montpellier borders on caricature (0-2). Overwhelmed for thirty minutes by a Hérault team yet in very poor shape, the players of David Guion benefited from a boost from fate: the Montpellier residents Cozza and Ristic were excluded, leaving the MHSC at nine against eleven before the break.
It’s over. [0-2] #FCGBMHSC pic.twitter.com/ac8G5mykG0
– FC Girondins de Bordeaux (@girondins) March 20, 2022
But Elis missed a penalty, and the Girondins besieged Omlin’s goal without really worrying him. By multiplying stereotyped crosses and powerless strikes, the Marine et Blancs came up against the solidary bloc of Montpellier. But to tell the truth, the identity of the adversary does not matter, as these Bordelais rush towards Ligue 2 without any additional soul leaving hope. The players are resigned (Guilavogui had not “nothing to say” after the game) and, as if that weren’t enough, some ultras got into an altercation with Benoît Costil at halftime. Difficult, however, to attribute all the ills of the club to the goalkeeper, back on Sunday after two months of absence…
The quack: Strasbourg in offensive breakdown
Dazzling during the first part of the season, the Strasbourg attack has stalled recently. Held in check in Lorient (0-0), Racing scored two small goals in its last four outings. Center-forward Ludovic Ajorque, for example, has not scored in nine games.
This offensive failure is necessarily carried over to the results, since it is the fourth draw in five games. Still fifth in the standings, Strasbourg remains in the nails for Europe. But be careful that this scarcity does not prevent the Alsatians from magnifying this beautiful season.
The relief: Angers finally wins
It was time for the downward spiral to stop. After seven consecutive defeats, Angers finally won again, against Brest (1-0). A penalty from Sofiane Boufal was enough for the happiness of the Angevins. Gérald Baticle’s choice to dismiss goalkeeper Danijel Petkovic, who was at fault on several goals conceded, paid off.
The apnea record is now held by Angevin supporters, with an impressive time of 96 minutes!
— Angers SCO (@AngersSCO) March 20, 2022
His replacement Anthony Mandréa was not much in demand, but pulled out a decisive save in the final seconds. Capital for an SCO which scores three points for the second time in 2022 and distances itself from the red zone.