Angers reach Ligue 1 safety as relegation battle will go to the final day

Angers SCO is mathematically certain to spend a second consecutive season in Ligue 1 thanks to their 2-1 home win against Strasbourg.

Les Scooes has placed a dent in the hope of the Alsatians to qualify for the Champions League with Esteban Lepaul who scored a double. Straatsburg wing Dilane Bakwa recovered parity before half-time in Stade Raymond-Kopa, but the Angers striker went home to restore the lead in the side of Alexandre Dujeux. With 36 points on the bank, Angers are safe for relegation, which led to bring hundreds of fans to invade the field at the last whistle.

The relegation struggle remains too close to call as a doubt about which team Montpellier will accompany in Ligue 2. Saint-Etienne stays very much in the battle for safety thanks to their crucial 2-0-way win for fellow degradation-Schontjes-Reims. In the meantime, Nantes have been given a valuable point at Auxerre. Regarding Le Havre, who lost to Marseille at home, they start the last day in the relegation play-off place in 16th place.

Next Saturday, Le Havre will close their Ligue 1 campaign at Champions League HopeFuls Strasbourg. Reims will travel to Lille. Saint-Etienne will host Toulouse for a make-or-break game, while Nantes will organize degraded Montpellier.

GFFN | Bastien Cheval