SM Caen’s hopes of ending their poor run of form took another hit on Friday night as they faced EA Guingamp at Stade Michel d’Ornano. With only two points separating them from relegation, Caen needed points desperately against the sixth-placed team, Guingamp, to lift their spirits and settle their growing concerns about survival in Ligue 2.
The match, held on January 24, 2025, offered Caen the chance to bounce back after struggling at the bottom of the league. Coach Bruno Baltazar had hinted at the return of midfielder Yann M’Vila, who has been sidelined by injury since early October, raising hopes among the fans. Speaking after training, Baltazar stated, “He (M’Vila) has shown remarkable spirit... His experience and maturity will help the group climb back up.” This added some optimism, as M’Vila was included among the 18 players for the match, albeit not expected to start.
On the other side, EA Guingamp was riding high on five consecutive wins across competitions and had aspirations of climbing the ranks toward promotion contention. They welcomed the match as yet another opportunity to solidify their position after surpassing expectations this season.
Unfortunately for Caen, they were dealt a significant setback right before the match when it was confirmed capital defender Alpha Sissoko would be suspended for three games following his red card incident during the Coupe de France against Sochaux. Having been one of the standout players with seven assists prior to his suspension, Sissoko’s absence was felt as Guingamp prepared to capitalize on Caen’s struggles.
Despite the gloomy circumstances, the first half of the match saw Caen displaying promising attacking sequences, with Bilal Brahimi leading the charge. Yet, their inability to convert possession for meaningful opportunities plagued them throughout the match. Midfield dominance did not translate to shots on target, maintaining the tension within the atmosphere as frustration grew among Caen's faithful.
Just before half-time, disaster struck for Caen. A defensive lapse allowed Brighton Labeau of Guingamp to capitalize on Anthony Mandrea's misplaced pass, scoring the only goal of the match. Commenting on this pivotal moment, Caen’s coach lamented the team’s youthfulness, stating, "We cannot afford careless errors at this level," reflecting the stark reality of his team’s situation.
Coming out for the second half, Caen attempted to regroup and put more pressure on the Guingamp defense but continued to face frustrating situations. Opportunities arose, especially for Alexandre Mendy, but the finishing left much to be desired. Guingamp's goalkeeper, Enzo Basilio had few qualms as he anchored the defense, thwarting all attempts at leveling the match.
The game culminated with Guingamp exhibiting clinical efficiency and Caen’s persistent but fruitless efforts exemplifying their struggles this season. The 1-0 defeat marked Caen's eighth match without victory, leaving them deep within the relegation zone. Fans expressed frustration, voicing their concerns about the future of the club. One fan remarked, "How much longer can we maintain faith?" capturing the mood among the home supporters.
Lavezzi’s goal became symbolic not only of Guingamp's ambition but also of Caen's mounting crisis—a point depicted clearly by the Malherbe Normandy Kop’s hesitance to show unreserved support following the match. Commenting on their desire to meet the players before the match for motivational discussions, they stated, “Our goal was to inspire the players to reclaim their fighting spirit. Sadly, our request was declined.”
The tension around the club was palpable, with fans increasingly voicing displeasure at what they perceive as neglect from the management office, leading to murmurs of discontent about the direction of their beloved team.
With the team at risk of tumbling to the third division, the urgency of their next challenge grows, and the question lingers: can Caen regroup after another demoralizing defeat, or will the weight of the season prove too much?