The fight for Europe and maintaining it is still in full swing.
After the draw between Brest and Lille, candidates for qualifying places for the Champions League, Monaco missed the opportunity to become runner-up to PSG by drawing against Lorient (2-2).
In the fight for maintenance, Clermont returned to victory against Le Havre (2-1) while Metz lost on the lawn of Reims (2-1).
Monaco slowed down at home
After the draw between Brest, second, and Lille fourth, Monaco had a golden opportunity against Lorient to steal second place in the standings behind the immovable PSG.
And Adi Hütter's men missed the mark by conceding a draw at home (2-2).
Manhandled by the fairly offensive Merlus who opened the scoring thanks to a CSC from Singo on a cross shot from Bamba after 33 seconds, the Monegasques then changed their face by creating more and more chances (8th, 15th , 21st, 48th).
They were rewarded by a CSC from Mendy, who failed to agree with Mvogo on a chest delivery (27th), before taking the advantage thanks to a beautiful header from Fofana on a center from Golovin (60th).
But the Monegasques were punished in added time (90+5th) by a veteran of the house, Tiémoué Bakayoko, who refused to celebrate.
In the standings, the Principality club remains third, one point behind Brest, and ten points behind PSG, while Lorient, fifteenth, regains a one-point lead over Nantes.
Clermont finally wins and gives itself some fresh air
The good operation of the day is that of Clermont, winner (2-1) against Le Havre thanks to Muhammed Cham.
The red lantern of the championship had not won since January 14 against Nantes.
Cham offered three very valuable points in the race to maintain by scoring a double, first on a strike to open the scoring (12th) then on a penalty (45th+4), just after André Ayew's equalizer on a superb individual action (45th+1).
The one who had only scored two goals since the start of the season found the net after five months of drought.
The last 25 minutes were played 10 against 10, after the red of Targhalline, author of a big foul on Gastien, thirty minutes after that of Rashani, too vehement with the referee after a Clermont foul (31st).
Despite this success, Clermont remains last (20 points) but is getting closer to Metz, relegated beaten in Reims, and Nantes, virtual roadblock, defeated on Saturday.
Muhammed Cham ⚽️⚽️💥#CF63HAC (2-1) pic.twitter.com/ZsJLIDKy41
— Ligue 1 Uber Eats (@Ligue1UberEats) March 17, 2024
Reims defeats Metz
After the heavy defeat of Nantes (1-3) this Saturday, Metz missed the opportunity to escape the relegation zone.
The Messins, 17th, lost on the Reims pitch (2-1).
Quickly led by the Champenois and a goal from Diakité after a misunderstanding between Hérelle and Candé (1-0, 3rd), Laszlo Bölöni's men did not doubt for long by equalizing through Atta (1-1, 14th) .
Unfortunately for Metz, the Rémois regained the advantage thanks to a magnificent strike from Junya Ito into the top corner of Oukidja (2-1, 79th).
Reims returned to victory after a defeat against Lille (0-1) and a draw on the pitch at the Parc des Princes (2-2).
The Champagne club returns to eighth ahead of Stade Rennais, pending the Bretons' match against OM (5 p.m.).
For its part, Metz remains first relegated, with 23 points, three more than Clermont, and two points than Nantes.