SM Caen vs. QRM: Normandy Derby Match Summary with Delaurier-Chaubet, Gbelle, and Coulibaly

For this 14th day of Ligue 2 BKT, Olivier Échouafni’s players traveled to Caen for the first Normandy derby of the season. Discover the summary of the match.

It was at the Michel d’Ornano stadium in Caen that our players continued to impress us this evening. They had already faced and beaten Caen twice last season, an opponent who had been successful for Olivier Échouafni’s men. It is Caen which opens hostilities in this derby, with a goal from Godson Kyeremeh (12th, 1-0). Which did not cool our players, quite the contrary! The equalizer will come on a wonderful opportunity from Logan Delaurier-Chaubet who combines with Garland Gbelle before crucifying Mandréa (20th, 1-1). A few minutes later, after taking advantage of a golden opportunity, offered by his teammate, Kalifa Coulibaly, it was the turn of Garland Gbelle, who played through the Caen defense, to offer the team a second goal (Chapter 23, 1-2). Shortly before half-time, a change occurs among the Leopards and it is Balthazar Pierret who comes into play, replacing Noah Cadiou who was affected (27th). Logan Delaurier-Chaubet is close to scoring a double, but Mandréa saves on this free kick (32nd). Remarkable presence of Garland Gbelle this evening during this derby, who does not fail to seize the opportunities presented to him, by searching for Sambou Soumano in the depth, who passes close to scoring the third goal of the match for the Leopards ( 37th). QRM has the advantage during these first forty-five minutes full of twists and turns.

A second period which begins in the best way with a first opportunity from Balthazar Pierret who fires his shot outside the area, but who lacks a little power to worry the goalkeeper (50th). The Caennais reacted quickly with a constructed action which led to a strong cross, looking for an attacker, but which found Kayne Bonnevie, firmly confirming and reassuring the QRM defense (54th). Only four minutes later, Kalifa Coulibaly scored his second goal in the colors of QRM by combining brilliantly with Sambou Soumano in the area, finding himself alone against the opposing goalkeeper (58th, 2-3). The Leopards are launched and determined to drive home the point. Logan Delaurier-Chaubet adjusts Mandrea outside the area but lacks imagination to find the net (62nd).

Olivier Échouafni injects new blood into the field with the appearances of Mamadou Camara (71st) as well as Ndiaga Yade and Pape Ousmane Sakho (81st). The latter will be able to add intensity at the end of the meeting. Kayne Bonnevie once again saves his team by making a decisive save (86th). Sambou Soumano had the winning ball at his feet when he combined with Ndiaga Yade in the area… the goalkeeper was beaten, but Sambou Soumano was unable to recover the ball and missed the target (90th+4). This derby ends with Le Bihan’s last minute equalizer on a final free kick which leaves a bitter taste for our leopards, who have not failed and who prove to us again this evening that they can aim well higher in the ranking (90th+6, 3-3).

This draw in the Normandy derby brings the Leopards down to 19th place with now 11 points. Next match this Saturday, November 18 in Amiens to face Montdidier (R3) in the Coupe de France.