This Saturday, the multiplex of the 37th day of Ligue 2 promised to be explosive. It was an evening during which Bordeaux had a lot to gain but also a lot to lose. Traveling to Annecy, the Girondins could recover first place in the best of cases or fall to third place in the worst of scenarios. And it was finally the second case that happened, surprised from the outset by the early opener of Vincent Pajot (9th, 1-0). Abused, David Guion’s flock had control of the ball but, paradoxically, never seemed superior to the locals who were more dangerous offensively. The worst scenario therefore for Yoann Barbet’s teammates because, at the same time, Metz passed them after winning at Sochaux thanks to the only goal of Cheikh Tidiane Sabaly (49th). Well helped by the expulsion of Skelly Alvero in the second half, the Grenats carried out a huge operation and are now in a good position to move up to Ligue 1. A victory at home against Bastia next Friday will be enough to make them happy.
Bordeaux may well regret this evening because, at the same time, Le Havre conceded a draw against Bastia. In Corsica, the Norman leaders, who remain on two defeats, have never been able to get up to the level of intensity imposed by the premises and almost conceded a third consecutive loss following the opener signed Dominique Guidi (1-0, 57th). Abused, the Le Havre miraculously snagged the draw on a late goal from Samuel Grandsir (1-1, 89th). Despite this setback, Luka Elsner’s men keep their destiny in their hands and will be champions if they win next week at home against Dijon. The Dijonnais, for their part, are fighting ardently for their maintenance and fell to 18th place this Friday after having been outside the relegation zone for a good part of the evening. Pascal Dupraz’s men opened the scoring thanks to Marley Aké but were finally joined by Paris FC on a goal from Julien Lopez. In this rush for non-relegation places in Ligue 2, no less than six teams stand in 3 points this Friday evening.
A race for maintenance that promises to be crazy
Indeed, while Annecy did a great job by climbing to 14th place, Valenciennes also moved away from the risk zone by winning against Grenoble (1-0). Winner in Le Havre last week, the VAFC is fifteenth and will have to make a last effort to ensure its maintenance in 7 days. Stuck in the relegation zone for many days, Laval has given itself the means to have a last hope. Faced with doomed Nîmes, the Laval residents won thanks to goals from Elisor and Naïdji and came back to within two points of Valenciennes and tied on points with the first non-relegation player, Rodez.
Opposed to Pau in a duel for the maintenance this Friday, the Ruthénois lost at home due in particular to a double from Yanis Begraoui in the first period. Finally beaten 3-2 by Palois who climb to 15th place, Rodez will not have to miss next week and will have a lot to do against vengeful Bordelais. In the other matches of the evening, Amiens overthrew Quevilly-Rouen who had however started well with the eleventh goal this season in Ligue 2 from Louis Mafouta (1-3). Against the Niort red lantern, Guingamp won thanks to a double from Gaëtan Courtet (2-0). Leading on the lawn of Caen thanks to a brace from Ibrahima Wadji, ASSE was finally joined at the end of the match by the Normans (2-2).
The full results of the multiplex
Bastia 1-1 Le Havre: Guidi (57th) / Grandsir (89th)
Sochaux 0-1 Metz : Sabaly (49th)
Annecy 1-0 Bordeaux: Pajot (9th)
Rodez 2-3 Paul : Boissier (19th), Younoussa (74th) / Begraoui (11th, 41st), George (26th)
Laval 2-0 Nimes: Elisor (18th), Naïdji (36th)
Guingamp 2-0 Niort: Courtet (31st, 90 + 4th)
Quevilly-Rouen 1-3 Amiens : Mafouta (sp 28th) / Cissé (52nd, 86th), Leautey (74th)
Caen 2-2 Saint-Etienne: Mendy (83rd), Essende (85th) / Wadji (15th, 23rd)
Dijon 1-1 Paris FC: Ake (48th) / Lopez (57th)
Valenciennes 1-0 Grenoble: Kaba (57th)
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