FC Lorient missed the chance to go top of Ligue 1 Uber Eats overnight after being held to a goalless draw, despite the visitors to their Stade du Moustoir playing the second half with 10 men, and the final few minutes with nine..
FC Lorient 0-0 Stade de Reims
THE MATCH
Lorient welcomed star man Dango Ouattara back from suspension and the Burkinabé winger nearly made it 1-0 early on when Terem Moffi helped the ball onto him in the Reims box, but his effort was well saved by Yehvann Diouf (16'). Moffi's game didn't last much longer, however. The Nigerian had twisted his ankle in an earlier challenge with Yunis Abdelhamid and Azor Matusiwa, and made way for Ibrahima Koné midway through the half (25'). Reims nearly took advantage of some Lorient confusion as Moffi was making way, but Munetsi blazed his effort just wide of the post (25'). Munetsi then also left the field of play early, in innocent slip ultimately seeing him subbed for Kamory Doumbia (44'), and it was goalless at the break.
No way through
Tensions spilled over at the start of the second half, and Dion Lopy was given a second yellow card for a poor challenge on the onrushing Ouattara (46'). Ouattara then curled an effort over the bar soon after (48'). Reims created some chances despite being shorthanded, and Julien Ponceau should have done better when he got a view of goal, blazing off-target (53'). Lorient were back on top quite quickly, though, and Diouf had to react quickly to save Quentin Boisgard's follow-up after a poor punch from a corner (65'). Arsenal-owned Folarin Balogun attempted to steer one home at the other end but was denied by the post (70'). Arber Zeneli forced a save from Diouf's opposite number Yann Mvogo (79') before Emmanuel Agbadou joined Lopy in being sent off for a foul on Ouattara (90'+1) and it ended 0-0.
THE PLAYER: Yehvann Diouf
Diouf wasn't even Reims' No.1 at the start of the season, the former ESTAC Troyes youngster acting as depute to Patrick Pentz, but he was put in ahead of the Austrian by Oscar Garcia last month and it is a decision Will Still has stuck with now that the Spaniard has departed. Performances like Saturday's are why.
THE STAT: 7
This was the first time in seven games that Lorient have failed to win in Ligue 1 Uber Eats, ending the club's best-ever run in the French top flight. The last time les Merlus dropped points was back in August, when they were beaten 5-2 at RC Lens.
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