Terem Moffi’s dramatic late winner gave Lorient a superb 2-1 win against LOSC, who continued their stuttering start to the season as Ligue 1 Uber Eats resumed after the international break.
THE MATCH
After a difficult start to the campaign that saw reigning Ligue 1 Uber Eats champions LOSC pick up just five points from their opening four games, head coach Jocelyn Gourvennec called for his side to show more determination ahead of their trip to Lorient.
With the new LOSC coach still looking to put his stamp on the squad, the trip to Lorient, where he spent his youth, was always going to provide a stern test for his players and the Breton side showed their intent from the start.
LOSC were the last team to beat Lorient in the league at the Stade du Moustoir - back in February - but they were lucky not to go a goal down in the opening minute when Lorient forward Armand Laurienté headed straight at LOSC ‘keeper Ivo Grbic from close range.
Early opener
However, Gourvennec’s side did not heed the early warning signs and fell behind when Terem Moffi burst forward and found Laurienté, who fired into the top corner to give Lorient a deserved lead (7'). LOSC looked sluggish in the early exchanges and Lorient exploited the champions’ poor ball retention in midfield with blistering counter attacks - and the dangerous Laurienté went close again in his personal duel with Grbic, with the Croatian shot stopper coming out on top on this occasion.
Yilmaz on Target
Mid-way through the first half Les Dogues slowly began to impose themselves on the game and were given a helping hand when Julien Laporte clumsily upended Burak Yilmaz to give LOSC a penalty. The Turkish veteran stepped up himself and slotted home to grab his second of the season (25’).
Clear-cut chances were at a premium in the second half as both teams looked wary of dropping a point, but the game was suddenly given an injection of life when Laurienté lost his man in the area, but the 22-year-old steered his downward header wide with just Grbic to beat (70’). At the other end, Sven Botman’s header was palmed away by Lorient ‘keeper Paul Nardi from point-blank range (72’).
Moffi wins it late
LOSC brought on Jonathan David (75') in search of a winner, but with three minutes left it was Lorient who made the breakthrough - courtesy of the dangerous Moffi. The Nigeria striker turned home Vincent Le Goff’s low cross to extend Les Merlus' unbeaten home record - whilst condemning LOSC to their second defeat of the season.
THE PLAYER: Armand Laurienté
The 22-year-old forward was a constant thorn in the side of Jocelyn Gourvennec’s men and posed problems for the champions from the first minute. Scorer of Lorient’s first goal, Laurienté could quite easily have added two or three more goals with a little more composure in front of goal. The France U21 international’s development is on the right track under Christophe Pélissier as his partnership with Terem Moffi continues to flourish.
THE STAT: 11
LOSC have now conceded 11 goals in their first five games of the season, a huge contrast from last season's impressive defensive exploits. LOSC had only shipped two goals at this stage last term and it was not until 23 December (Round 19) that LOSC had conceded 11 goals - a statistic Gourvennec will need to change in the coming games if Les Dogues are to have any chance of getting their season back on track.
