FC Lorient's six-match winning run had to come to an end eventually, admitted a philosophical Régis Le Bris after his side's goalless draw with nine-man Stade de Reims on Saturday.
Lorient could have gone top of Ligue 1 Uber Eats overnight had they extended their best-ever winning run in the French top flight to seven games against Reims.
Les Merlus welcomed back their most potent attacker in Dango Ouattara from suspension at the Stade du Moustoir, but despite Reims playing all of the second half with 10 men - and some of the final moments with nine - there was no way through.
"We were coming off an impressive series of wins," said Le Bris. "But this game shows the quality of this league and our opponents. Reims gave us problems. They packed the midfield and were solid in defence. We started pretty well despite being without Laurent [Abergel], and important cog in our midfield."
Star players
Abergel has been in the 96th percentile for pressures and tackles among midfielders league-wide over the last year. Terem Moffi - scorer of eight goals to Ouattara's four goals and five assists - also went off injured after 25 minutes, which didn't help.
"Terem's injury impacted our dynamic," Le Bris said. "We had plenty of the ball, but we struggled to put them in any danger in the final third. Overall, we'll continue to move forward, but it's normal that out opponents begin to find solutions for how we play."
