Lorient coach Christophe Pélissier was on cloud nine after his side bounced back from their 5-1 defeat to PSG by hammering Saint-Etienne 6-2 in their relegation six-pointer at the Stade du Moustoir on Friday night.
After falling heavily at the Parc des Princes last weekend, Lorient shook themselves off and made the most of the bright lights of Friday night's Ligue 1 Uber Eats Round 31 opener to give their hopes of top-flight survival a boost.
'We knew where we could hurt them'
Both Terem Moffi and Ibrahima Koné bagged doubles as Les Merlus tore Saint-Etienne apart, and Lorient boss Christophe Pélissier couldn't have been happier after his side came back from two goals down with a barnstorming performance.
"It was a perfect evening, and the communion with our fans was even better. We felt that there was a good energy. We were very shaky defensively, but even after the two goals, I felt that we had the possibility to hurt them offensively," said the Lorient boss. "That's the strength of this squad; they never give up, even when the winds are against them. We were well organised, we knew where we could hurt them."
The precious three points took Lorient four points clear of Saint-Etienne, who sit in the play-offs place (18th), and left them in provisional 16th, where they should stay unless Clermont spring an upset on PSG on Saturday night.
'A very good win'
Is this the beginning of Lorient's digging their way out of trouble? Pélissier would like to think so, especially as his side have clearly rediscovered their cutting edge.
"It's interesting for a coach when what we put in place is successful. It's a very good win. Now we have to be humble - there are still seven games to go and we need points. Not everything is perfect, otherwise we wouldn't be where we are in the standings," he explained. "But what has changed is the efficiency. There have been many other games where we've had chances that we haven't converted."
Lorient's next test is a tough one - away to high-flying Nice - at the Allianz Riviera on Sunday 17 April.
