Le Mans, Saint-Étienne and Red Star take promotion race to final day | OneFootball

Le Mans, Saint-Étienne and Red Star will take the fight for Ligue 1’s second promotion spot to the final day after Le Mans drew 1-1 with Reims.

L'Équipe reports that all three must win next Saturday to have a chance of finishing second. Le Mans now go to Bastia, who stayed in play-off contention with a 1-0 win at Guingamp.

Ewen Jaouen kept Reims level, saving from Erwan Colas on 41 minutes and from Lucas Bretelle on 62, then blocking Colas again on 75. At 90+6, Martin Rossignol fired inches wide, leaving Patrick Videira and his players floored.

In Rodez, Saint-Étienne lost 2-1. Ibrahima Baldé scored on 17 minutes and again on 54, either side of chances for Augustine Boakye on 21 and Lucas Stassin on 30. Irvin Cardona replied on 89 after defeats at Bastia 0-2 and against Troyes 0-3.

Videira praised his team and the supporters, calling adversity their fuel and urging a quick reset. He chose not to follow events in Rodez during the match.

Philippe Montanier accepted second place is still reachable but no longer in Saint-Étienne’s hands, and demanded more accuracy and strength in both boxes.

Le Mans lead by two points but trail Saint-Étienne on goal difference before visiting Armand-Cesari, a venue Videira knows from his AS Furiani spell from 2018 to 2024. The 34th round could even swing to Red Star if both slip and they beat Montpellier at Bauer.

Source: L'Équipe