The data is the same this Sunday as Wednesday once morest Strasbourg. Clermont Foot presents itself diminished, lacking in confidence and in great offensive and defensive difficulty. Opposite, a team that plays the leading roles, sure of its strength and full of certainties. Unfortunately, there was no miracle once morest the Alsatians. Even if the Clermontois were not unworthy, Strasbourg won without really shaking.
However, it will be necessary to perform a miracle once morest Rennes to no longer drag in the race to maintain. Fortunately, the rivals of Clermont Foot are not doing much better but Metz and Troyes have just passed in front of the classification, with a simple victory, and behind Lorient and Bordeaux are only one point behind. The situation of Clermont Foot is fragile, as is the game offered by the team at the moment.
A sterile attack
The Clermontois have still not scored a single goal in 2022, in four meetings. The absences of Mohammed Bayo and Jim Allevinah, parties to the CAN, do not explain everything. Moreover, if Allevinah stood out during the African Cup with two goals in three matches, his statistics in Ligue 1 are not at the same level: no goals and one assist.
Goalscoring opportunities are rarer than at the start of the season (without having fortunately completely disappeared) and the passing game that was the strength of the team has become sterile. While defensively the small errors have still not disappeared and are still paying just as much. Injuries, a few drops in individual form, a workforce that is too tight for Ligue 1, a lack of success sometimes, explain this big blow, but Pascal Gastien still cannot find the solution to remedy it.
The beginnings of da Cunha?
The Clermont coach is well aware of the shortcomings of his team. However, he is trying to get a grip on events, such as changing his entire line of attack on Wednesday once morest Strasbourg. He also tried to move players, took the risk of putting holders to rest, to change tactics. Unfortunately, it is unsuccessful so far.
Except that by dint of not moving forward, the maintenance risks moving away. Clermont Foot must absolutely stop the bleeding this Sunday, at the risk of sinking into a negative spiral. Easier said than done once morest a team like Rennes, who had inflicted a severe 6 – 0 in the first leg. In any case, the Clermontois have no real choice but to surpass themselves. Even if it will take one more (last?) time to do with the gauge of 5,000 supporters at Montpied.
For this meeting, you will need do without Florent Ogier. The captain is still in trouble with his ankle and the latest tests failed to give it the green light. Several players also suffer from sores but are able to play. This meeting should also mark the debut of Lucas Da Cunha. The Nice, loaned until the end of the season, is in the group. It remains to be seen if he will start or if he will be in reserve on the bench.
This meeting between Clermont Foot and Rennes is to be experienced live on France Bleu Pays d’Auvergne this Sunday from 2:45 p.m. Comments by Emmanuel Moreau and Thierry Coutard.
