Knowing that all-out attack was their only option, Lorient set about getting their noses in front from the first whistle. Remarkably, their first two chances each fell to left back Benjamin Mendy, who spooned over the bar on both occasions.
News of Metz being 2-0 down within 12 minutes against champions PSG provided some comfort, but Lorient faced adversity of their own in that moment, as only Yvon Mvogo was in the way of Jim Allevinah taking the lead for Clermont.
Despite 18-year-old forward Ilhan Fakili posing a threat for Clermont, the home faithful were in their usual voice, and they no doubt contributed to their side’s ascendance.
Captain Laurent Abergel let the ball run across his body following a Julien Ponceau pass, and rifled it into the far corner to get his side off the mark, and Lorient weren’t done there for the first half. Chrislain Matsima was judged to have unfairly challenged Tosin Aiyegun in the area, leaving Mohamed Bamba to dispatch eloquently to Mory Diaw’s left from the spot.
Having done more than half the job at the break, the hosts took less than 10 minutes to improve their position further. Bamba squared it to Badredine Bouanani following a fast counter, and the Algerian beat Johan Gastien to finish across goal. Needing two more as it stood, Lorient launched into a frenzy, peppering the Clermont goal with attempts and soon notching a fourth through Bamba Dieng, who followed in after Gedeon Kalulu’s effort was saved by Diaw.
With the Metz score still at 2-0, desperation for more ensued, and they got a fifth after Dieng tapped in at the far post.
The final whistle came, but Lorient were relegated via the finest of margins due to Metz having scored three away goals against them earlier in the season.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Laurent Abergel (Lorient)
