Winning debut for the Chamois in this new Ligue 2 championship. From experience, with a lot of solidarity, the Poitevin footballers went to seek – with more difficulty (but also more merit) than the first period suggested – a success that perfectly launches their season.
Jostled on the first half of the meeting, Niort made the round back (thank you Mathieu Michel who won his first entry duel against Kévin Farade) before carrying two thrusts with composure, taking advantage of two individual errors of the opponent .
Kaboré hit in the thigh gives way
On the first, Bilal Boutobba could have afforded a goal on his own, but it was Yanis Merdji who pushed the ball into the back (29th). On the second, the same Boutobba converted the penalty awarded for a foul in the area on Lenny Vallier (39th). 2-0 at halftime. The Ligue 2 subscriber (31 seasons since 1994) gave the lesson to the promoted.
But the heat, the Niortaise fatigue in the second half, the ardor of the Haut-Savoyards pushed by more than 5,000 spectators were going to spice up an end to the meeting which seemed a little too written in advance. The reduction in the score, while Niort was falling in pace, by Arnold Temanfo revived the hopes of the red people. The injured exit of Chamois captain Charles Kaboré completed the proof that fortune had changed sides.
Experience bonus at the moment
Experience isn’t everything. And at the end of the match, the Chamois had to highlight another quality – which is the hallmark of teams that travel far -: solidarity, to collectively ensure the safeguard of the result. Beyond the stoppages and extended clearances to save time (yellow card for Mathieu Michel), we will remember the bravery and the sense of sacrifice of this group, ready to fight as one man, including when the events do not turn in his favor.