SM Caen finally achieved victory on the road, defeating Clermont Foot 1-0 on February 28, 2025. This win marked their first Ligue 2 victory since November 2, and it was desperately needed as the team aims for survival.
With the Stade Malherbe Caen facing serious struggles, their victory at Stade Gabriel-Montpied offered hope amid their tumultuous season. Despite their position at the bottom of the league table, Caen dominated much of the match, controlling 71% of possession and creating several goal-scoring opportunities.
Both teams struggled initially to find the back of the net during the first half. Alexander Mendy had his goal disallowed for offside just 15 minutes in, as he was caught narrowly infringing the defense after being assisted by Valentin Henry. Although they faced pressure from Clermont, the Caen defense held strong, with key saves from goalkeeper Anthony Mandréa.
The second half saw the tide slightly turn, as Clermont came out with more energy. They finally registered their first shot on target, but Mandréa stood firm to deny them. The breakthrough for Caen came, unfortunately, via misfortune when they were awarded a penalty after Yoan Koré was deemed to have handled the ball inside the area. Mendy took responsibility but executed a poorly timed panenka, which Th1 Guivarch saved effortlessly, keeping the match scoreless.
With frustration mounting, Caen seemed on the brink of collapse after missing the penalty opportunity. Yet, they rallied, showcasing resilience and determination as the match progressed. Mendy continued to be involved, hitting the post with another effort around the 73rd minute, adding to the tension on the pitch.
Finally, the moment came for Kalifa Coulibaly, who was brought on as a substitute. He found the net with just three minutes remaining, securing the win for the visitors. Coulibaly connected with Godson Kyeremeh's low cross, tapping the ball home from close range, igniting celebrations among the away fans.
After the match, manager Michel Der Zakarian expressed relief, highlighting the importance of this long-awaited victory. "Malherbe est enfin récompensé, grâce à Coulibaly à la réception d'un centre à ras de terre au second poteau," he stated, emphasizing the morale boost this win provides amid their relegation battle.
With this hard-fought victory, Caen closes the gap to just six points behind Clermont and offers renewed hope for avoiding relegation. The team is determined to continue building on this momentum, as seven or eight more wins are needed to secure their place for another season.
The players displayed tenacity and hope, fighting through adversity with the missed penalty and previous losses hanging over them. This match could prove to be the turning point as they now aim to capitalize on this victory moving forward.
On the other side, Clermont's performances continue to raise concerns, as they seemed unable to break down Caen’s organized defense throughout the game. They remain precariously positioned and face increasing pressure as the season progresses.
Both teams exhibited the qualities needed for survival, but Caen emerged from this pivotal clash with three invaluable points, sparking joy for their supporters at the away end who celebrated with sheer delight.
Kalifa Coulibaly's goal not only secured the win but also symbolized the fight remaining within the ranks of the Stade Malherbe Caen, as they look to navigate their way out of the relegation zone during the remaining fixtures of the season.
With their next matches looming, the spirit within the Caen camp is now one of guarded optimism. Though they are still at the bottom, every point will matter as they finish the season and aim for survival.