The Stade Michel d’Ornano was filled with anticipation on Saturday, February 22, 2025, as supporters gathered to cheer for SM Caen during their match against Pau FC, marking the debut of new coach Michel Der Zakarian. The crowd accompanied the team bus to the stadium, creating a vibrant atmosphere. Despite Caen's ambitious play, the match ended in a 2-2 draw, halting their nine-match losing streak but leaving them still stranded at the bottom of the league table.
The match started with palpable tension, reflected by the quick momentum swings. Just seven minutes in, Caen’s Valentin Henry and Brahim Traoré were caught flat-footed, leading to Diawara's foul on Pau striker, prompting the referee to award a penalty. Antoine Mille converted, putting Pau FC up 1-0.
Caen, undeterred by the early setback, swiftly equalized only three minutes later. A sumptuous corner from Jules Gaudin was flicked on by Didi Gaucho, allowing Yann M’Vila to slot it home and ignite the home crowd, marking Caen’s first home goal since November 22, 2024.
Though Caen seemed to ride the momentum, they struggled with consistency, failing to convert chances. Striker Alexandre Mendy's attempt to equalize resulted only in him hitting the goalkeeper with his penalty effort after being fouled later in the first half. The half concluded with moments of danger as both teams sought to find the upper hand, but they went to the locker room tied at one.
Emerging from halftime, Caen looked to continue pressing, but the challenge intensified. Mendy found himself thwarted again minutes after the restart, showcasing the growing need for effective finishing. Nonetheless, determination was rewarded when Romain Thomas headed home following another set-piece, handing Caen their first lead of the match, 2-1.
The match took another twist just four minutes later when Thomas was shown red after making aggressive contact within Pau’s half. The immediate exchange meant both teams would face one another with ten players, opening the game up significantly.
Capitalizing on the newfound space, Pau responded quickly. Brahim Traoré, already rattled from the earlier play, was adjudged to have fouled Tairyk Arconte inside the box. This led to another penalty, executed by Mboup, leveling the match at 2-2.
Despite the draw, which halted their dismal streak, the scoreboard reflects the challenge Caen faces moving forward. “We wanted more than just one point today,” stated Romain Thomas, who had reasons to reflect on both the joy of scoring and the pain of discipline. “It shows we’re on the right path, though we'd hoped to move more directly to victory from this match.”
While SM Caen remains last on the league table, they now sit nine points behind Clermont, their next opponent on February 28, 2025. The team’s fighting spirit and resilience against Pau suggest a glimmer of hope as they aim to claw their way out of the relegation zone. Meaningful changes are on the horizon with Der Zakarian at the helm, as they seek the strategic unity necessary to shift their fortunes.