After leading for more than 80 minutes, FC Lorient conceded a draw (1-1) against Strasbourg on the 14th day of Ligue 1. Régis Le Bris’ men are 4th, pending the clash between Monaco and Marseille this Sunday evening.
Moffi still untenable
Scorer last week against PSG, Terem Moffi was again in good shape this evening against Strasbourg. Alone at the far post, it was he who opened the scoring with a flat foot following a corner from Enzo Le Fée (0-1, 5th). The center-forward of the Merlus was once again very restless on the front of the attack. He could even have made the break shortly before half-time if he had not missed his face-to-face with Mats Sels. But thanks to this goal, his 10th of the season, the Nigerian striker climbs to the podium in the Ligue 1 top scorer ranking, one unit behind Neymar and two behind Mbappé.
Great first for Mannone
Despite the goal conceded in the final moments (1-1, 87th), the Italian goalkeeper was able to be decisive. He postponed the deadline, especially when he returned from the locker room, where he knew how to have a firm hand after a nice strike from Bellegarde. In the absence of Yvon Mvogo injured for several months, it is he who should take over after the World Cup.
The defense of FC Lorient still as fragile
Despite a solid match from Vito Manonne, the Merlus could not hold the result. It was Habib Diallo who pierced the lock of Julien Laporte’s teammates at the end of the game (1-1, 87th). If the FC Lorient attack has been running at full speed since the start of the season, the defense remains more permeable. After 14 days, FC Lorient has only recorded two clean sheets.
The bad streak continues
Even if this draw in Alsatian soil does not necessarily look like a poor performance, the Lorient people have just chained a fifth game without a win. After a great start to the season, Régis Le Bris’ men seem to have stalled in recent weeks. A victory would have guaranteed the Merlus to spend the international break in the top 5. But with this result, they could find themselves sixth in the event of a draw between Monaco and Marseille, who face each other tonight.
Article written by Laurent Lemoine
