Toulouse slows down, four teams still in the fight for second place, Nancy on the brink … What to remember from the 34th day

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Five days from the end, the twenty Ligue 2 teams met on Tuesday April 19 at 8 p.m. for the 34th day. The fight is fierce at both ends of the table for the climb as for the maintenance. Toulouse, impressive this season, stalled at Sochaux (1-1) while its pursuers and contenders on the rise all ensured.

At the bottom of the standings, many defeats allow Grenoble, victorious, to take a breath of fresh air. Nancy can still believe in it mathematically. But he will have to win the last four games, when they have won only five times this season, and hope that, for at least two teams in front, everything collapses.

The race for the title and the rise

Slight setback for the TFC after fifteen points taken out of fifteen possible in the last five meetings. The Violets were hooked (1-1) by Sochaux who are fighting for the climb. The fault of a goal conceded from the start after a favorable counter for Rassoul Ndiaye (6th). As often, the solution came from a set piece from Branco van den Boomen which brought danger into the Sochaux area. There followed a long mess before Anthony Rouault came to bring the two teams tied (50th).

A slight setback for Toulouse in its quest to climb as quickly as possible, then the title. Philippe Montanier’s players still have a six-point lead over AC Ajaccio, but above all nine over Auxerre, the first play-off. The Violets could mathematically ensure their rise from the next day if they do better than Paris FC and Auxerre.

Thanks to a logical victory against Dunkirk (2-1), the Ajacciens retain their second place behind the Toulouse untouchables. A success quickly drawn with two quick goals from Gaëtan Courtet (3rd) and Vincent Marchetti (17th). A fifth consecutive victory in the league for the players of Olivier Pantaloni who are achieving a cannonball end to the season in an attempt to move up to Ligue 1.

But the successes of Auxerre against Dijon (2-1) and Paris against Caen (1-0) do not allow the Corsicans to take off in the race for second place, synonymous with a direct climb. Ajaccio has a three-point lead over the Burgundians and four over the Ile-de-France in what promises to be a turbulent end to the season. The three teams are also guaranteed to compete in the play-offs if they do not climb directly.

Sochaux, the last contender for the climb, conceded points against Toulouse after four straight wins. The Doubistes are now six points from the runner-up spot, but only three from the bottom step of the podium. Le Havre’s victory in Amiens (2-0) does not allow Omar Daf’s players to mathematically secure a place in the play-offs.

The struggle to maintain

The equalization of Yeni N’Gbakoto (60th) against Rodez (1-1) maintains Nancy’s slim hope of staying in Ligue 2 next year. Ten points behind Quevilly-Rouen, roadblocker and Rodez, the first non-relegation player, while there are still twelve to be awarded, the rescue objective sounds like an impossible mission for the Lorrainers who are heading straight for the National.

Their struggling season marked by offensive inefficiency and the worst defense in Ligue 2 are the main causes. Add to that a dozen red cards and you get the recipe for a good last. If they do not win Friday against Quevilly-Rouen, the descent of the Nancy will be formalized.

Defeated in Ajaccio (2-1), the Northerners remain on six consecutive defeats. If they do not reverse the trend, they will find the National, two years after leaving it. Rodez’s draw keeps the Dunkirk away from the relegation play-offs against the third in the lower echelon. Romain Revelli’s players now point to four units from Quevilly-Rouen (18th) and Rodez (17th, first non-relegation). The last game of the season against the Normans could be decisive, provided that Dunkirk gets closer to their future opponents.

At the bottom of the standings, each point is precious and the three units gleaned by Grenoble at home against Valenciennes (3-0) look like an important war chest. From now on, five points from the red zone, the residents of the Stade des Alpes should get by unless there is a disaster. On the contrary, their evening adversaries, who are only two points ahead of this frightening “fear” zone, make the wrong evening operation. Especially since the Valenciennes will face Ajaccio, Paris and Sochaux in the final sprint.

Oppositions that could benefit Rodez and Quevilly-Rouen to get their heads out of the water and sink Christophe Delmotte’s players. The Ruthénois, moreover, took advantage of their draw to take the place of first non-relegation to the Normans, defeated at home by Nîmes (1-0). But Quevilly-Rouen will face Nancy, the red lantern, on Saturday to try to come back from Lorraine with three precious points. Nothing is done at the bottom of the table and the five collectives risk holding their breath until the end of the season.


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