Paris, February 21 (BNA): Marseille dropped its points in chasing second place in the French League after losing 2-0 at home to struggling Clermont.
Second place guarantees its automatic entry into the Champions League next season, but Marseille’s defeat leaves it just one point ahead of third-placed Nice and 13 points behind leaders Paris Saint-Germain, the Associated Press reported.
Striker Mohamed Bayo converted a cross pass from the right flanked by Marseille goalkeeper Pau Lopez in the 13th minute, and substitute Jim Alvinah headed a corner kick in the 84th minute, leaving the home team’s fans in large numbers from the Stade Velodrome.
“I think we need to change something in our position, because it’s a matter of mentality,” Lopez said. “We need to change now because we are entering the most important moment of the season.”
Earlier, Justin Kluivert continued his good form by scoring the only goal as Nice beat Angers 1-0.
Kluivert took advantage of a long pass to Melvin Bard in the 18th minute and hit the ball through the legs of goalkeeper Daniel Petkovic, who misjudged his dash off the line.
A few minutes before that, Kluivert’s free kick hit Kheffen Thuram with a header but was ruled out after a video review. Kluivert’s unconquerable cross created another header midway through the second half, this time for forward Andy Delort, but VAR caused it as well.
The 22-year-old plays as a left winger and scored two excellent goals earlier this month in the French Cup quarter-final. He is the son of former Ajax, Barcelona and Netherlands striker Patrick Kluivert. Thuram is the son of former high-profile defender Lilian Thuram, who won the World Cup and the European Championship with France.
Nice coach Christophe Galtier has the best defense in the league – 21 goals were allowed in 25 matches. Former Galttier side Lille won the title last season and were the best defense in the league.
It was the fourth consecutive defeat for Angers.
Other matches
Saint-Etienne’s improvement led to a 2-2 draw for the fourth-placed at home to Strasbourg, all goals came in a frantic first half.
An early goal by attacking midfielder Riad Boudebouz put Saint-Etienne’s Pascal Debraz ahead.
Striker Habib Diallo equalized for Strasbourg in the 20th minute, and defender Lucas Perrin made the score 2-1, before captain Wahbi Khazri equalized in the 33rd minute, moving Saint-Etienne to 16th place.
Rennes sent a struggling Troy 4-1 at home to climb to fifth and two points behind Strasbourg to automatically book a place in the Europa League. Striker Serho Girassy made the rarest start with two goals in the space of 20 minutes. Regular scorers Martin Terrier and Gaetan Laborde added late goals to reach 12 goals each.
Midfielder Tigi Savagnier scored a goal in the second half as ninth-placed Montpellier beat Lorient 1-0.
Reims also tied 1-1 at home to Brest.
Last-place Bordeaux drew 1-1 with sixth-placed Monaco after French midfielder Aurelien Chuamini was sent off in the 34th minute.
Striker Remy Odin put Bordeaux ahead midway through the first half with a quick shot from Yassin Adly’s pass.
Monaco equalized when Brazilian defender Marcelo scored an own goal in the middle of the second half. Bordeaux have conceded 62 goals at the highest level in the league.