Ligue 1: OM puts pressure on Lens, Reims returns Lorient thanks to a hat-trick from Balogun

The transfer window closed its doors tonight, it’s time to play now. For this 21st day, the first with the new squad, OM went to Nantes for what was the 7 p.m. poster. With Malinovskyi and Sanchez starting, but without Vitinha, not in the group, nor Ounahi, on the bench at kick-off, the Olympians started the evening rather well. They held the ball and occupied the opposing half of the field but lacked sharpness in the last 25 meters, like the two situations of the Ukrainian attacking midfielder (28th, 32nd). Ganago’s response was not long in coming (35th), illustrating all the same the weak inspiration of the two teams during this sad first period.

We had to do better, which Ganago understood perfectly even if he still did not fit (47th). The opener finally came from Joao Victor, who was playing his first game in his new colours. Launched in pursuit of Ünder in the area, the new Nantes defender made an improbable technical sequence, which deceived Lafont between the legs (58th). Kombouaré threw his other recruits into the battle, Hadjam and Delort but it was not enough to come back to the score. OM mastered their subject, even missing the goal of the break narrowly on this dive from Clauss (82nd). A goal that would have been welcome because the Canaries tried to the end with in particular this first header from Guessand repelled by Lopez (90th), then this second from Ganago out of frame (90th + 1). The deliverance finally came from Ounahi, scorer for his first match in a very nice way. A goal synonymous with a 2-0 victory at La Beaujoire and 2nd place while waiting for the Lens match against Nice.

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Balogun sees triple and carries Reims

We paid quite special and rather unexpected attention to this duel between Reims and Lorient, two teams with the wind in their sails. With a draw obtained at the Park against PSG, the locals wanted to extend their series of 12 games without defeat against Merlus, who lost Outtara and Moffi during this transfer window. But the Bretons have resources. Already winners of Rennes without its two former attacking elements, they made an excellent start, scoring on their only two occasions by Le Fée (10th) and Koné (36th). The Champenois reacted, first with Balogun from the penalty spot before the break (44th), then on returning from the locker room with Doumbia (51st). The evening did not stop there because the player on loan from Arsenal struck twice more (61st, 64th) and in a very good way to allow Reims to win 4-2. With 14 achievements, he is the top scorer in L1.

We are heading north now where there has been much less spectacle between LOSC and Clermont. With Cabella, Gomes and Weah in support of Bayo, but without Jonathan David, withdrawal, the Mastiffs tried to play the game as usual but had difficulty obtaining situations. The most interesting even came from the Auvergnats since Chevalier worked for the first time on this strike against Cham, slamming the leather on his bar (32nd). The doorman even became heroic on this double attempt signed Rashani (60th). The changes made a little after the hour mark didn’t really have any effect, even if Zhegrova stood out a bit towards the end. Still as irregular, LOSC takes a point after this 0-0.

13th defeat in a row for Angers

There were also two second-half fixtures. First led by Troyes at home following a penalty from Baldé (12th), Toulouse was able to come back to the score and even win the match with a lot of ease. It must be said that Van den Boomen had put on his clothes of light this evening. On the pass on the equalizer from Dallinga (16th), the midfielder kicked the corner allowing Chairi to give the advantage to the Violets (36th). Two assists were not enough for him. The Dutchman then scored the penalty allowing his team to finally win 4-1, with this last goal from Onaiwu (88th). Finally, Angers started on a good basis by opening the scoring against Ajaccio by Sima (13th) but the Corsicans logically came back thanks to a goal from the incoming Soumano (65th), and even ended up forcing the decision at the end. against 10 Angevins since El Idrissy scored the winning goal 2-1 in added time. It is the 13th defeat in a row for the SCO, a record, which is in Ligue 2.

The results of the 7 p.m. matches:

Nantes 0 – 2 OM : Joao Victor (58th csc), Ounahi (90th + 3)

Angers 1 – 2 Ajaccio : Sima (13th); Soumano (65th), El Idrissy (90th+4)

Toulouse 4 – 1 Troyes: Dallinga (16th), Chaïbi (36th), Van den Boomen (55th), Onaiwu (88th); Baldé (sp 12e)

Reims 4 – 2 Lorient: Balogun (sp 44, 61st, 64th) Doumbia (51st); The Fairy (10th), Koné (36th)

LOSC 0 – 0 Clermont