SM Caen's struggles deepened after suffering their sixth consecutive defeat in Ligue 2, as they succumbed to Guingamp with a score of 1-0 at Stade Michel-d'Ornano on January 24, 2025. The team entered this match with hopes of salvation, but ended up sealing their fate with yet another disappointing performance.
The crowd rallied behind the Caen players, especially after calls for unity were echoed leading up to the game. Despite missing the chance to meet their supporters before the match, the MNK 96 supporters group ensured their presence felt as they cheered from the stands. Although SM Caen appeared more competitive than they had in recent weeks, just one individual mistake cost them dearly.
The first opportunity of the match fell to Caen, with Ilyes Najim driving the ball from his half to set up Alexandre Mendy, but Guingamp goalkeeper Enzo Basilio made the first of several key saves to keep the score level. The attacking momentum continued with another shot from Najim, and later, Didi Gaucho's attempt was also thwarted by Basilio.
Guingamp countered with increased pressure as the match unfolded, and after some early misery, they capitalized on what proved to be the decisive mistake of the day. Just before halftime, Alex Moussounda hesitated on the ball, allowing Brighton Labeau to dispossess him and score the opening goal (1-0) just seconds before the break.
Despite appearing revitalized at the start of the second half, Caen struggled to find the back of the net. They created several chances, including efforts from Mendy and Brahimi, but again, failed to convert. Their inability to score after numerous attempts frustrated fans, growing increasingly vocal as time wore on.
The visitors, Guingamp, efficiently absorbed Caen's attacks with solid defensive plays, even as Caen pressed hard for the equalizer. The best efforts rolled accumulating but still lacked precision. An anxious moment came when Rayan Touzghar's freekick nearly snuck past the Caen keeper, Anthony Mandréa, illustrating the relentless blade of pressure from both sides.
These moments of tension came as the visiting Guingamp players maintained their composure under constant duress, holding onto their slender lead and delaying the clock as much as practically possible. Caen’s attempts grew more desperate as the match went on; they went on to bombard the visitor's goal with unrelenting waves of pressure, yet the scoreboard remained unchanged.
The faithful Caen fans witnessed the clock tick down, culminating not just another defeat, but rising frustration boiled over post-match. A group of angry supporters encroached onto the pitch following the final whistle, conveying their displeasure with security forces intervening to prevent them from approaching the players, who were retreating to the safety of the tunnel.
The outcome now sees SM Caen scraping at the bottom of Ligue 2, tied on points with Martigues, the division's bottom side, and six points away from Ajaccio, who occupy the last safe spot. Coach Bruno Baltazar had hoped to become the catalyst for revival but faced mounting pressure as his team lacks direction and focus, compounded by mounting errors on the pitch.
Guingamp's success, derived from maximal defensive efforts, allowed them to climb the rankings and finish the day feeling triumphant under the guidance of coach Sylvain Ripoll. Reflecting on the match, Ripoll expressed relief at the result, commenting, "It was a tough victory, but we stood strong defensively and showed collective spirit — it’s important for us to build momentum.”
With Caen reevaluated their approach as they continue to drift lower on the league table, the urgency for change is palpable. Can they overcome the self-inflicted setbacks and arrest the sequence of losses, or will they continue this downward spiral? Only time will tell if the players can rally to stave off relegation.