Stade Malherbe Caen Triumphs Over Clermont Thanks to Late Goal
The resurgence of Stade Malherbe Caen under the guidance of coach Michel Der Zakarian continues as they secured a 1-0 victory against Clermont on February 28, 2025. This win was significant for the team, marking their first triumph since near four months and offering hope for their efforts to avoid relegation from Ligue 2.
Under the new management, the Caen team displayed vibrant football, which had been lacking during the previous coaching era. Possession statistics reflected their dominance, with Caen enjoying 71% of the ball during the first half, and launching nine shots, which created numerous opportunities to score. Unfortunately, Alexandre Mendy's goal was ruled out for offside, which kept the score level as the teams headed to halftime.
Despite this, the second half saw Caen not decrease their pressure on Clermont. Goalkeeper Théo Guivarch became increasingly busy as he made five saves, including stopping Mendy’s missed penalty. Mendy expressed his disappointment over the penalty - which he tried to take as a panenka - and later apologized to fans and teammates on social media.
Der Zakarian's decisions during the match proved pivotal. With just fifteen minutes remaining, he brought on Godson Kyeremeh for Mickaël Le Bihan, and shortly after this substitution, Kyeremeh shone bright. He created two close chances, including one shot which struck the post. But it was Kyeremeh who provided the golden assist for Kalifa Coulibaly, who scored with his first touch of the game at the 85-minute mark, securing the win for the Red and Blue.
Following this goal, the team took significant steps to solidify their defense against Clermont’s attempts to equalize. The tactical switch to a five-defender formation by Der Zakarian, substituting D'Avila Ba Loua for Quentin Lecoeuche, was successful, as the team managed to withstand Clermont’s late pressure and held on for the hard-fought victory.
Despite the joy from this victory, the road to maintaining their status in Ligue 2 remains steep. The team knows it must achieve six or seven more wins from the remaining nine matches. The looming confrontation with Laval next on March 7 is particularly concerning, as they will face stronger competition than Clermont.
Jordan Adéoti, player from Stade Lavallois, stressed the urgency of performing well to secure their position, sharing aspirations to push his own team to finish within the top five of Ligue 2. This will make the upcoming clash at Stade Michel d'Ornano even more competitive.
Training has commenced with intensity as Caen prepares for this upcoming battle. With four training sessions planned openly for fans to attend, the team is fully engaged. Starting February 3, players will train daily at 10:30 am, with another session for recovery on February 9 at 10:00 am following the match.
The victory over Clermont was important not just for the points it earned but also for lifting the spirits of the players and supporters alike. The previously troubled tenure under former coach Bruno Baltazar feels like it’s finally fading away, replaced by renewed hope as Der Zakarian brings positive energy to the club, alongside new transfer Kylian Mbappé, who has been heralded as influential personally and within the team’s morale.
With positivity permeated through the squad, Caen stands at the threshold of their next significant challenge and must continue to build on their recent performance as the stakes rise higher with every match.
The transformation under Der Zakarian is still under scrutiny, but there’s no denying the improvement witnessed since he took over. The upcoming matches will determine if this hope can convert to results solidifying their position away from relegation.