Limits but hope: what Guingamp’s draw against Dunkirk says

It’s a match that undoubtedly says a lot. En Avant Guingamp did not beat Dunkirk on Saturday afternoon at home, and the way in which the Northerners dominated the debates during the first period necessarily illustrates the difference between a Top 3 team and another which aspires to the play-offs . “We were too timid and we mismanaged the ball for half an hour with technical waste and bad choices,” analyzed Sylvain Ripoll. We were under influence. But the hour of play that followed was quite decent against an opponent from the top of the table. »

Ghrieb’s inspiration

Diminished by viruses which had struck several of their executives this week, the Costarmoricans therefore suffered, a lot, before recovering somewhat at the end of the first period. Which did not prevent Bardeli from opening the scoring on the hour mark (0-1, 56′). Ghrieb’s equalizer, three minutes later, started Guingamp’s best period and the end of the game, in freezing rain, could have been a success for either team. Failing to impose themselves, the Guingampais, who were able to measure the distance they still have to go to titillate the top of the table, now know a little more about their level.

“It makes us grow as a team and it makes us progress,” said the Morbihan coach. I hope we will confirm this in the coming weeks. Reading the rankings, halfway through, reveals certain lessons. We are still missing certain things that we will try to acquire quickly so that our next confrontations against the top teams will be difficult for our opponents. »

Identity and common benchmarks

In ambush at the exit of the Top 5, his team advances. Above all, it continues to bring out something, with its means and its limits. It is not at the level of the leading formations, which rely on more guarantees in terms of numbers, but it benefits, this season, from a common identity and benchmarks which make it attractive and improveable. In this busy month of January, since the Coupe de France will be there in ten days with the reception of Sochaux, there is a path which gives a form of perspective to Sylvain Ripoll’s Guingamp. On the evening of this 17th day, which ends the first leg, Guingamp gives the feeling of moving forward on something solid.

The technical sheet

Arbitrator : Mr. Abed.

Spectators : 9,018.

GOALS. Guingamp: Ghrieb (59′); Dunkirk: Bardeli (56′).

Warnings. Guingamp: Louiserre (90′ + 5); Dunkirk: Raghouber (36′), Courtet (47′), Bammou (90′ + 4).

GUINGAMP : Basilio – Sissoko, Riou, Lemonnier, Maronnier – Ghrieb (Guendouz, 82′), Louiserre (c.), Sidibé (Phiri, 82′), Picard (Luvambo, 73′) – Hemia, Siwe (Labeau, 73′) . Coach: S. Ripoll. Not entered into play: Niasse (l.), Nair, Ourega.

DUNKIRK : Ortola – Georgen, Sangante (c.), Sasso, Abner – Skyttä (Rivera, 81′), Raghouber, Bardeli – Bammou, Courtet (Sekongo, 81′), Tejan (Essimi, 73′). Coach: L. Castro. Not entered into play: Jaouen (l.), Youssouf, Kondo, Queiros.