Winner of a late match against Marseille at the start of the week (2-1), OL did not confirm their good disposition on the Rock, facing a direct opponent for qualification for the European Cup next season. .

Despite the debut of rookies Romain Faivre and Tanguy Ndombélé, who entered at half-time, Peter Bosz's team sank in the first period, surprised by a former member of the house, the Brazilian Jean Lucas (2nd), then by the Monegasque captain Wissam Ben Yedder (27th), top scorer in the Championship (14 goals).

Philippe Clement's players overtake their evening opponents in the standings and climb to 4th place, with 36 points against 34 for the Lyonnais.

The podium remains far - Nice, 3rd, has 42 units and one game less -, but the dynamic is launched for ASM, which faces three poorly ranked in the next few days (Lorient, Bordeaux, Reims).

For Lyon, 8th, it's a setback after 8 matches without defeat in all competitions, and three straight victories in Ligue 1.

Nordin sounds the green revolt

OL could even lose a few places on Sunday, because Lens, Nantes and Lille are within reach of the Lyonnais before the end of the 23rd day.

It will be easier for Lens in Lorient (1:00 p.m.) than for Nantes, traveling to Strasbourg (3:00 p.m.), and for Lille, which receives the leader Paris SG in the evening (8:45 p.m.), sold out.

At the heart of this fight for European places, Marseille largely dominated Angers on Friday (5-2) to regain its second place while Montpellier has long thought to strike a blow and hold 4th place, in Saint-Etienne on Sunday.

And a victory for Saint-Etienne, winner of Montpellier at the Geoffroy-Guichard stadium, on February 5, 2022 JEAN-PHILIPPE KSIAZEK AFP

But despite a goal lead, the Héraultais (7th, 34 pts) were overwhelmed by the pride of the Stéphanois, victorious in extremis with three goals in the last ten minutes thanks to a thunderous entry into play from Arnaud Nordin, scorer and decisive passer in an atmosphere of madness.

"The players showed a good state of mind", savored coach Pascal Dupraz, happy to see ASSE extricate themselves, at least temporarily, from last place in the standings (19th).

"There is no recipe other than group spirit to maintain yourself," said the technician, whose players are only two points behind the first non-relegation player, Bordeaux.

© 2022 AFP