For the Rocher club, the opportunity was dreamed of. Traveling to the Stade Brestois lawn on Sunday April 21, AS Monaco dominated its direct competitor for a European place (2-0), and snatched its place as runner-up to Paris Saint-Germain. Despite an enterprising game, coach Eric Roy’s troops conceded the opening goal at the end of the first period, with a sparkling strike from Denis Zakaria (40th).
Difficult in the second part of the match, the Bretons lost their patience and their concentration after the second Monegasque goal, scored from the restart by Takumi Minamino (48th). Then as the minutes passed, tension rose on the lawn of the Stade Francis-Le Blé, culminating in the exclusions of the Monegasques Eliesse Ben Seghir (90th 1), for a violent gesture against Hugo Magnetti, and Wilfried Singo ( 90th 5), author of a kick on Jérémy Le Douaron.
At the end of a disjointed end to the match, ASM, reduced to nine, nevertheless achieved a major success, forcing the exchange of positions in the ranking between the two clubs. A situation, which obviously benefits the Principality club, but which puts the Finisterians in a delicate situation.
“We can only blame ourselves, we have to do better,” reacted Brest defender Julien Le Cardinal, speaking to Prime Video. But the race is not over, there are still four games left. » Now third, Brest (with 53 points) sees its Champions League dreams threatened, in particular by Lille (4th, 52 points), scorers of Strasbourg during the same 30th day.
Lille positions itself for the Champions League
After the great disillusionment experienced against Aston Villa, Thursday in the quarter-final second leg of the Europa Conference League, Lille was able to get off to a good start. The penalty shootout, lost to Argentine goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, inevitably left its mark, but against Strasbourg on Sunday, the Mastiffs quickly made the difference through Jonathan David (12th). Before locking down the match, and securing a victory (1-0), which consolidates their fourth place in the standings.
Paulo Fonseca, the Lille coach, appeared relieved in the post-match press conference: “It was a very important match for us. The team was very tired […], at the moment, the most important thing is the result. » With this success, and a major match to make up for, against AS Monaco next Wednesday, LOSC is now able to reach the podium, and knock Brest out.
Blocked by the Northerners’ game plan, and their inability to make the difference in front of Lucas Chevallier’s goal, the Strasbourg side fell back into their mistakes, having remained in four consecutive matches without defeat. They now occupy 13th place in the Ligue 1 standings, downgraded on goal difference by Montpellier.
Metz leaves the red zone
If the race at the top of the table keeps its spectacle promises, the one held in the other part of the table is almost of the same ilk. Traveling to Reims, Montpellier won on the wire (2-1), thanks to Mousa Al-Tamari (86th), served by the master of play and captain of the Héraultais, Téji Savanier. MHSC now occupies 12th position in Ligue 1, and is gradually moving away from the relegation zone.
A battle that FC Metz is also waging. Playing against Le Havre, the Lorraine club won by the narrowest of margins (1-0) on Sunday. The Messins once again relied on Georges Mikautadze (46th), their top scorer of the year, who returned to Moselle this winter after a failed start at Ajax Amsterdam. Just out of the relegation zone, Metz (15th) gave way to the Normans (16th), who are plunging a little deeper into doubt.
“When you can’t cling to confidence, you cling to hope,” said Le Havre coach Luka Elsner in the post-match conference. And there is hope (…) in terms of points, we are not far from maintaining our position. » The next meeting of the HAC is set, and it is an understatement to say that the march will be high, since they will travel to the pitch of Paris Saint-Germain, next Saturday.
