The rest of the 12th day started with the 1pm game, which by the way pisses everyone off. The people at the table, the spectators when there are some and the players. But hey, for the moment we have to respect the schedule… This did not prevent Lyon from exploding a team of Reims of an extraordinarily worrying level and which hardly existed. OL scored three goals, a volley from Toko-Ekambi well served by Depay, a counter strike from Guimaraes and a dive from Dembélé which allows the Lyon striker to finally find his way back to the net and may launch a series . Obviously, the task of Lyon was made easier by the expulsion of Cassama. I do not understand those who say he is not in the position of last defender. Regardless, his tackle is dangerous, made from behind and could have injured Depay. For me, the gesture in itself deserves red.
At 3 p.m., Brest confirmed their good streak by winning in Metz thanks to a brace from Cardona, even if the second goal is quite happy. A match that the Bretons managed perfectly, knowing how to balance the periods when they left the ball to the Lorrainers and those when they created the game. It is the end of a series of eight games without defeat for Messins handicapped by a few absences. A punctual halt but nothing to worry about for Antonetti’s men. Angers also continued its momentum in terms of play and offensive will. The SCO won 3-1 against a Lensoise team which, since the cut due to the Covid, has conceded a lot of goals. The first signed Pereira-Lage is magnificent, that of Bahoken too. The match was alive with Lensois who also had chances. There again, nothing to worry about for the Blood and Gold, who must accept not to win all the matches and remain in a very enviable position for a promoted.
Monaco very easily – and even much easier than the score indicates – beat Nimes. The Gardois suffered greatly and the harsh expulsion of Deaux did not help matters. There is a real serenity in the Monegasque game, with also a speed of execution which makes this team very attractive to me in terms of the game. And then Montpellier won in Lorient. The Hérault lacked offensive inspiration and won thanks to a late goal from Skuletic, the eternal offensive replacement. A good result for the MHSC and a very bad one for the Merlus, who suffered a new defeat without framing a shot in the match. When you think that Féry spent € 18m on two forwards and neither of them scores, it’s very problematic and even scary for the future.
Lille, missed opportunity
And then, it’s an understatement to say that I was not impatiently awaiting the Nice-Dijon at 5 pm. And finally this match was quite funny to follow – well, especially when one is not supporting Aiglons. The Niçois nevertheless had the opportunities to win this meeting, but for lack of realism and success, they ended up letting the Dijonnais take advantage of their defensive mistakes. The stat is relentless: four games without Dante, four losses. The turning point of the match is this second Burgundian goal quite scandalously awarded. Because no one will make me believe that Baldé is not playing on the restart of Ngonda-Muzinga, Benitez being forced to step aside to see the ball. The argument that he does not touch the ball is null and void. After that, a big mistake from Barbosa allowed Baldé to fold the match by securing the double.
After Thursday’s defeat in the Europa League against Slavia Prague, it was clearly not the week for the Niçois. They did not play for 18 days because of the Covid cases and did not resume collective training until last Monday. That makes a lot of excuses but the fact remains that this team has no rhythm, no game or desire. We have the impression that the players are bored. Now the real question to ask is this: is it Vieira’s fault or the players’ fault? I think that the blame is shared, that Vieira cannot find the words and that his group is not concerned enough.
Finally in the evening, Lille had the opportunity to join PSG at the top of the standings. Missed opportunity. This is largely the fault of the very good Saint-Etienne game. The performance of the Greens resembled that achieved in Lyon, with a well-established and aggressive team for an hour, before a physical pumping blow that cost Ikoné’s equalizer. LOSC did not have its usual imagination, even if it finished better than the Greens. Afterwards, we can quibble about the penalty obtained by Khazri. Bradaric touches the Stéphanois but he lost his balance, he is back to the game and we can estimate that Khazri comes impaled on him. However, there is no scandal either… It is the end of a series of seven consecutive defeats for the men of Puel. So a point, it’s not much but at the level of the quality of play and the state of mind, it is a real progress which should allow the technician of ASSE to build. With still a treacherous remark: there were a lot less young people at the start this time. This may also explain this …
Pierrot
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