Angers reach Ligue 1 safety as relegation battle will go to the final day

Angers SCO are mathematically certain to spend a second consecutive season in Ligue 1 courtesy of their 2-1 home win against Strasbourg. Les Scoïstes have put a dent in the Alsatians’ hopes to qualify for the Champions League with Esteban Lepaul scoring a double. Strasbourg winger Dilane Bakwa restored parity before half-time at Stade Raymond-Kopa but the Angers striker headed home to restore the lead for Alexandre Dujeux’s side. With 36 points in the bank, Angers are safe from relegation, which prompted hundreds of fans to invade the pitch at the final whistle.

The relegation battle remains too close to call as doubts surround which team will accompany Montpellier in Ligue 2. Saint-Etienne remain very much in the fight for safety thanks to their crucial 2-0 away win to fellow relegation-battlers Reims. Meanwhile, Nantes have gained a valuable point at Auxerre. As for Le Havre, which lost at home to Marseille, they will start the final day in the relegation play-off spot in 16th place.

Next Saturday, Le Havre will conclude their Ligue 1 campaign away at Champions League hopefuls Strasbourg. Reims will travel to Lille. Saint-Etienne will host Toulouse for a make-or-break game, whilst Nantes will host relegated Montpellier.

GFFN | Bastien Cheval