With only one goal scored at halftime in the three matches at the 3 p.m. multiplex, this Sunday afternoon of football in France was sorely lacking in flavor.
But we must always be wary of premature judgments.
And, while waiting for Nice-Monaco at the end of the 21st day (8:45 p.m.), things then got a little lively on the Ligue 1 pitches.
Brest offers a great opportunity to Nice
After conceding two draws against PSG and Nice, Stade Brestois, 3rd, had the opportunity to get off to a good start in the race for the podium.
A gem in the top corner from Pierre Lees-Melou, facing uninspired Clermontois, put him on the right track after the break (0-1, 50th), but Éric Roy's men were unable to hold on this score and, facing the worst attack of the European big five, conceded a draw offered to Clermont by Greyjohn Kyei with a beautiful header (1-1, 69th).
While the two teams finished 10 against 10, following the expulsions of Bizot and Rashani, Brest (3rd, 37 pts) leaves Monaco (5th, 35 pts) and Nice (2nd, 39 pts), who play later this Sunday, a great opportunity to seize.
Rennes never stops winning
Winter has transformed these Rennais, who continue to have a string of successes in 2024. And they improved their series, at the very beginning of the afternoon against Le Havre: they now have 5 victories in a row in the League 1.8 in all competitions.
In a match where the Normans nevertheless had great opportunities to take the advantage, a decisive Mandanda and a skillful Bourigeaud in front of goal, to complete a great collective action (0-1, 60th), allowed Julien Stéphan's men to to win by the smallest of margins and continue their great rise in the rankings: they are now 7th.
Toulouse revives Nantes
However, Toulouse believed they had put themselves back on track last week, winning against Reims.
But on the Nantes pitch, in a duel between the 12th and 13th in the standings, the Violets fell back into their ways.
A little gem from Mohamed, back from the CAN, with a free kick picked them up from the start (1-0, 2nd), then Tino Kadewere confirmed his good form at the end of a superb combination with the Egyptian ( 2-0, 51st).
At the very end of the match, Dallina reduced the gap, but it was far too late for a Toulouse team which remained in the soft underbelly of Ligue 1 (13th), within reach of the relegation zone.
Lorient wins again and breathes
Even more than the one against Metz last week, this victory against Reims must do good for Lorient, which is finally having a string of positive results.
In front of the Champenois, the Merlus had to wait until the end of the match to emerge from torpor and score two very valuable goals: one by the winter recruit Bamba, definitely on fire (1-0, 70th), the other by the former Monegasque Tiémoué Bakayoko (2-0, 87th).
This is a third match without a victory in Ligue 1 for Reims, 9th in the standings.