Match Reports
Multiplex Recap: Reims beat Angers, ASSE come back to draw at Nantes
Nantes looked like they were cruising against a Saint-Étienne side low on confidence following last weekend's drubbing by OGC Nice (8-0), but a brace from Ibrahima Sissoko saw the points shared at Stade de la Beaujoire. Johann Lepenant completed a perfect start for Les Canaris when he fired the home side in front after the ASSE defence couldn't clear the ball away (10').
The away side would struggle to get into the game in the opening stages, and after a little spell of possession it would be the home side that created some more chances. Moses Simon would be a dangerous threat for Nantes, finding Douglus Augusto in the box but the Brazilian fired wide of the post. The home side looked comfortable at half-time, and they went on to double their lead early in the second half through Sorba Thomas, after Johann Lepenant weaved through the Nantes defence from the left wing and put the ball on a plate for Thomas to tap in.
Saint-Étienne would get themselves back into the game as Ibrahima Sissoko's flicked header halved the deficit following a superb cross by Davatiashvili (50'). Les Verts would get a huge opportunity to go level as the referee pointed to the spot after Castelletto elbowed Michael Nadé inside the box. Up stepped Sissoko to score his second goal in Ligue 1 - he'd previously not hit the back of the net in Sainté's first 5 games.
Florent Mollet would get a huge chance to put Nantes ahead late on, but Larsonneur's intervention kept the score level in injury time. Marcus Coco would get himself sent off in injury time, as ASSE reacted to last week's harsh loss with a solid draw.
THE STAT: Lacking the Killer instinct
Nantes have not won a Ligue 1 game in which they have led by at least a two-goal margin for the first time since 25 August 2023 against Monaco (2-0 and 3-1, then 3-3 final score). On the other hand, this is the first time Saint-Etienne avoided losing a top-flight encounter in which they were trailing by at least two goals since 20 April 2022 at Bordeaux (0-2, then 2-2 final score).
Angers SCO 1-3 Stade de Reims: Reims move to fourth following convincing win
Luka Elsner's Stade de Reims completed a convincing win over bottom side Angers away from home as the Champagne Region side moved up to fourth place with their third win of the season thanks to goals from Japanese pair Keito Nakamura & Junya Ito, and Marshall Munetsi. Despite a big match from goalkeeper Yahia Fofana and a goal from Ferhat, Angers stayed bottom of the league after the conclusion of Matchday six in Ligue 1.
Les Rémois went ahead in the first half thanks to a great finish from Keito Nakamura following a precise long-ball forward from Cedric Kipre (10'). Junya Ito would threaten only minutes later, as the away side asserted their control early on. After coming close to doubling the lead, Ito would get his goal after Fofana fumbled his intervention straight into the path of the Japan international who simply finished low (25').
After a couple of breaks in the play, half-time would come and the club from the Champagne region once again happy with their first half work. As Angers looked to stem the flow of goals, it would take until much later in the game for Reims to score their third of the afternoon. This time it was Marshall Munetsi who profited from an unfortunate error on the part of Angers stopper Fofana, pouncing on the rebound in front of the travelling Rémois supporters.
But the SCO would give themselves a chance to get back into the game, as Zinedine Ferhat halved the deficit with a lovely curled strike from the edge of the box (85'). Yet it would be too little too late for Les Angevins, who were condemned to their fourth loss of the season and stay bottom of the league for another week.
THE STAT: Breathing Room
Reims had not won a Ligue 1 match by more than a single goal since 13 January 2024 (3-1 v Monaco). It was also the last time Reims had scored at least three goals in a Ligue 1 match.
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