Nantes narrowly snatched its maintenance in Ligue 1 by winning Saturday, in an indescribable atmosphere, its first 1-0 victory in the league since February against the already relegated Angevins who did not let it go. Lens had done their share of runners-up by beating Auxerre, but Nantes had to do theirs and end their 14-game winless streak to catch up two points behind the Burgundians.
In the lead after a quarter of an hour thanks to a goal from Ignatius Ganago (16th), the Canaries struggled to maintain their lead, supported by a fervent public who invaded the field to cries of “We are in Ligue 1 at the final whistle. While the Loire stand was closed following a disciplinary sanction, several dozen Ultras had taken their place in the bend opposite, usually rather family-friendly.
The Nantes people can also thank Lens, the insatiable dolphin who played the game to go and sink Auxerre and send it to Ligue 2 (3-1). AJA, which nevertheless had its destiny in hand, returned to the second division a year after its rise to the top flight, alongside Angers, Ajaccio and Troyes.
But the dynamic was much better on the side of Lille and especially Rennes. The Bretons have chained a fourth victory in a row, in Brest (2-1), and will compete in the Europa League in 2023-24 thanks to their 4th place. As for Lille, they were stressed but their draw (1-1) in Troyes was enough for them to obtain 5th place, synonymous with the Europa League Conference play-off.
Like their performances during the second half of the season, PSG stopped playing after scoring their two goals (15, 20th), leaving Clermont to overturn the match (23, 45, 62nd). The only consolation: with 29 goals, Kylian Mbappé is the top scorer in L1 for the 5th consecutive season, equaling Jean-Pierre Papin.
The images add to those of Friday evening in Ligue 2 in Bordeaux, Nîmes or to a lesser degree Le Havre, various incidents having caused the temporary or permanent interruption of the meetings. The scramble between a Bordeaux supporter and a Rodez player will be studied on Monday by the Disciplinary Committee of the Professional Football League (LFP).
