Nice-Lorient: Merlus fishing for points

Back in Ligue 1 since the 2020-2021 season, FC Lorient could well return to the second division next year. Currently play-offs, the Bretons have the same number of points as Metz (26), first relegated, but have a better goal difference.

There are 6 matches, 6 finals left for Merlus to collect as many points as possible and keep their place in the Elite. The first of them takes place this Friday at the opening of the 30th day of the championship. They travel to the Allianz Riviera pitch (9 p.m.) to face a Nice team who are fighting for a European place.

In post since June 27, 2022 after the departure of Christophe Pélissier, Régis Le Bris arrived at a club he knows well, with great ambitions. Indeed, he was director of the Merlus training center before coaching the U17s and ending up at the head of the reserve team. “This new stage is a continuation of what has already been achieved and we will approach it with humility and ambition. Be assured of our total and constant commitment,” he declared upon his appointment.

More than a year and a half later, Lorient finds itself in a delicate situation. Le Bris and its players must fight against Le Havre and Metz, in particular, to keep their place in Ligue 1 next season. A task that worries the Breton coach. “I’m worried about staying put like everyone else. We measure our responsibility. We have already done it in the past. We have six matches, we have six opportunities to do it. We achieved good results in front of the other teams we will play. Everything is possible because we have already done it,” the coach said on April 7.

Nice, this Friday evening. Paris, Lens and Marseille, in the coming weeks. Lorient's schedule between now and the end of the season is not simple. It even seems to be the most difficult. The Bretons will have to climb mountains and compete with clubs fighting for Europe to hope to stay in Ligue 1. For the moment, the Bretons are blocking and seeing Metz in their rearview mirror.

The Merlus went through a difficult period, going 11 matches without a win (8 defeats and 3 draws). This series began on September 28 against Reims (1-0) and ended on January 28 against Le Havre (3-3). Then, Lorient found color again. Three consecutive successes against Metz, Reims and Strasbourg. Since then, Régis Le Bris' men have been too irregular to get close to maintaining their position and find themselves, with 6 days to go, in an uncomfortable position. Every point gained from now on will count in a final three-way sprint, with Le Havre and Metz.