Ligue 1: Lens slowed down, Nîmes frustrated, Dijon resuscitated, Oukidja boosted

After the success wrested by PSG against Saint-Etienne after a crazy match, at the beginning of the afternoon, the 33rd day of Ligue 1 continues, this Sunday.

The Lensoise counter-performance, the breath of Dijon air, the frustration of Nîmes and the efficiency of Messins Alexandre Oukidja, this is what to remember from the afternoon's meetings.

The bad operation: Lens lets points slip away in Brest

Still engaged in the race for 5th place, synonymous with participation in a European Cup, RC Lens was slowed down in Brest (1-1).

After the opening of the scoring by Jean Lucas, on a direct corner (37th), the inevitable Gaël Kakuta brought the Northerners to height, on penalty (72nd).

But Lens could not overthrow the Breton club and is content with a draw.

A bad operation, the day after the success wrested by OM against Lorient (3-2).

Franck Haise's men are only one step ahead of the Phocaeans, five days from the end of the season.

The astonishing promoted will have to fight until the end to defend his position.

For its part, Brest (15th, 37 points) keeps six points ahead of the barrage, Nîmes (31 points).

(1-1) Racing leaves with a draw for @ SB29. # SB29RCL #rclens pic.twitter.com/o8qqTBIMpR

- Racing Club de Lens (@RCLens) April 18, 2021

The start: Dijon victorious with pride against Nice

The DFCO offered a reprieve in Ligue 1. Under the threat of relegation from this Sunday, in the event of a worse result than Nîmes, the Dijonnais won against Nice (2-0). The two scorers of the match, Fouad Chafik (50th) and Yassine Benzia (77th, on penalty) allow the Burgundians to offer themselves a first victory since the 17th day (3-1 against Nîmes, on December 23). A success that breaks a terrible series of 12 losses of rank for the red lantern of L1. This is only a third victory this season in the league, the second against Nice, after the 3-1 at the Allianz Riviera. For their part, the Aiglons, rather in shape in recent weeks (four wins and two draws in six games) suffered a setback.

⏹ It's over at Stade Gaston-Gérard, the DFCO returns to victory against @ ogcnice!

(2-0)

Summary and reactions to follow on https://t.co/x13fKpW731#DFCOOGCN pic.twitter.com/M5c5jg7KnV

- Dijon FCO (@DFCO_Officiel) April 18, 2021

Regrets: Nîmes poorly rewarded against Strasbourg

The Crocs had done the hard part.

In the 55th minute, they led the score thanks to Renaud Ripart, scorer on penalty, and moved to 11 against 10, after the severe expulsion of defender Frédéric Guilbert (47th).

But despite this advantage in the score and this numerical superiority, Nîmes cracked in front of Strasbourg (1-1), reduced to the score by Dimitri Liénard (82nd).

A week after the debacle against Paris (4-1), Thierry Laurey's men snatch an unexpected draw.

Apathetic after the opening of the scoring, the Gard club can blame themselves and remain barrage, one point behind Lorient (17th).

Nîmes is now under threat from Nantes, which receives Lyon this Sunday evening.

The player: impassable Oukidja

If the meeting between Reims and Metz ended in a goalless draw, the fault is partly due to the many technical errors made on both sides. But we must underline the performance of the “wall” Alexandre Oukidja, author of six saves. The Algerian international goalkeeper saved the score and almost single-handedly avoided a fifth Metz loss in a row away from home. Unable to win, the Rémois knew not to lose and extended their unbeaten streak in the league (9 games without defeat, but only 2 wins). Metz (9th) and Reims (11th) remain stuck in the soft underbelly of the standings and have little to hope for by the end of the season.