Maurer broke onto the scene towards the end of last season, starting six games and making four substitute appearances as Pascal Gastien’s side finished the season in style. However, collectively, those performances have not been replicated this season. Clermont are instead bottom of Ligue 1, and in such circumstances, the development of youth players is not always prioritised. 

Maurer seems to be a victim of this context. He has made only five substitute appearances all season, two of which have come in added time. As a result, the attacking midfielder is set for a spell away from Clermont. According to Foot Mercato, a loan switch to Ligue 2 side Dunkerque is imminent. Dunkerque are currently embroiled in their own relegation battle. The move will not include an option to make the move permanent. 

GFFN | Luke Entwistle

Despite his multinational experience – he played in Sweden, Belgium, Portugal and his native Brazil before joining Clermont – the move to France was initially a daunting prospect for the full-back. In an interview with GFFN, he explained that the physical demands of Ligue 1 were unlike anything he’d ever seen before:

“Coming into the league, I had to adapt myself because of how physical the league is, and the players are so good technically. You have to be 100% concentrated all the time, if you lose focus for even one minute then you concede and you lose the game from that.”

Second-season syndrome for Borges?

That shortcoming was made clear in his sending-off against Lorient at the start of last season. Since then, though, Borges has been a standout performer as the left wing-back of Pascal Gastien’s five-man defensive set-up. His all-action skill set makes him a unique profile in the Ligue 1 landscape – from his eye for an interception, to his deceptively strong aerial presence, to his willingness to gallop all the way into the box to create chances.

All of those elements came together during a purple patch this past spring, which saw Clermont go seven games unbeaten – a run which included wins over Lyon and Nice. However, like the rest of the team, the 27-year-old has struggled to hit those heights in the new season. He was also handed a two-game suspension for showing the middle finger to opposition fans during an incident-ridden match against Montpellier.

Clearly, though, the self-doubt that initially hit Borges on his arrival in France has now dissipated. While the more immediate concern will be to turn Clermont’s ailing form around – they sit rock bottom of the league at the time of writing – Borges knows that he can aim high. “I doubted myself before coming to the league, but now I want to see where I can go. When you make the team of the season, you want to keep improving to see how far you can go.”

GFFN | Raphaël Jucobin

The trio were suspended last time out, but they return as Clermont look to lift themselves off the bottom of the Ligue 1 table. Captain Gonalons is expected to make a return to the starting XI, although Caufriez and Konaté may have to settle for places on the bench. However, Clermont will be without Florent Ogier and Johan Gastien, who both miss out through injury. 

Clermont are struggling for goals this season, and they will be reliant on Muhammed Cham and Grejohn Kyei to up their output if they are to get themselves out of trouble. The latter looks set to get the nod ahead of Shamar Nicholson on Sunday. 

Clermont Foot likely lineup v Marseille

Mory Diaw; Neto Borges, Alidu Seidu, Andy Pelmard, Mehdi Zeffane; Habib Keita, Maxime Gonalons; Elbasan Rashani, Muahmmed Cham, Jim Allevinah, Grejohn Kyei. (L’Éq)

GFFN | Luke Entwistle

Having stumbled upon a winning formula, Gennaro Gattuso looks set to keep his starting XI consistent when Clermont visit on Sunday. Aligning Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Vitinha together in a 3-5-2 has reaped rewards in recent matches and the Italian technician is therefore set to once again start the pair up front. 

One difference from the 4-2 victory over Lorient will be the absence of Clauss at RWB. He will be replaced by Panama international Murillo. There will be few, if any more changes to the side that have hit form just before the international break. Valentin Rongier and Joaquín Correa remain sidelined with injuries.

Marseille likely lineup v Clermont

Pau Lopez; Leonardo Balerdi, Samuel Gigot, Chancel Mbemba; Renan Lodi, Amine Harit, Jordan Veretout, Geoffrey Kondogbia, Michael Murillo; Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Vitinha. 

GFFN | Luke Entwistle

David surprisingly remained at Lille over the summer, despite incessant links with a departure, however, the Canadian forward has struggled for form for much of the season. As a result, he has seen his place in the starting XI challenged by Yusuf Yazici. The Turkish had regularly started ahead of David prior to the latter’s return to form. 

David will once again lead the line against Clermont. Paulo Fonseca isn’t blessed with a wealth of other options with Ivan Cavaleiro injured and Adam Ounas out of the match through illness. Angel Gomes will therefore likely start as a No.10 with Rémy Cabella on the left and Edon Zhegrova on the right. 

Lille likely lineup v Clermont

Lucas Chevalier; Ismaily, Alexsandro, Leny Yoro, Tiago Santos; Nabil Bentaleb, Benjamin André; Rémy Cabella, Angel Gomes, Edon Zhegrova; Jonathan David. (L’Éq)

GFFN | Luke Entwistle

The manager from Auvergne was sent off as tempers flared between Lens’ Elye Wahi and Clermont’s Alidu Seidu in which both players were subsequently sent off, Wahi for a second yellow and Seidu for a straight red.

Montpellier’s Der Zakarian also sanctioned

A furious Gastien was then also shown a red for his reaction and he was up in the stands when his side faced Montpellier HSC at an empty Stade de la Mosson on Wednesday night. 

Montpellier manager Michel Der Zakarian has also been suspended for a match following his sending-off against their 1-1 draw at home to Clermont. Clermont currently sit 17th in the league, two points adrift of safety with just two wins this season. 

GFFN | Finn Entwistle 

A late Téji Savanier penalty salvaged a draw for Montpellier HSC (1-1) against a stubborn Clermont Foot side in a fixture rescheduled after fan trouble saw the initial game abandoned back in October. 

It was a strange night at the Stade de la Mosson that was reminiscent of the Covid-affected season, with no fans in attendance. The match was being played behind closed doors following the abandonment of the match back in October after a firecracker landed and exploded at the feet of Mory Diaw. Clermont were losing 4-2 at the time of the incident, which happened in second-half injury time. 

Clermont were looking to make the most of the second chance that had been afforded to them and they quickly took the lead thanks to a Maxime Gonalons screamer for long-range. Benjamin Lecomte, who saw it all the way, perhaps could have done better with the effort. 

His opposite number, Diaw, had a much better half, saving from Wahbi Khazri, Téji Savanier (on two occasions) and Musa Al-Taamari. The barrage on Diaw’s goal continued into the second half. Akor Adams shot just wide from a good position before Diaw got down well to save from Khazri. Boubakar Kouyaté saw a shot saved off the line, whilst at the other end, Muhammed Cham could have put the game to bed, but he shot wide from a good position. 

The barrage intensified further as the full-time whilst neared. Arnaud Nordin saw an effort cleared off the line, whilst Sacha Delaye also went close. However, they were given a golden opportunity when Florent Ogier clumsily handled in the box. Savanier, who had been brilliant throughout, stepped up to send Diaw the wrong way. 

Clermont remain in the relegation zone but have grown the gap to bottom place Olympique Lyonnais to one point, whilst Montpellier climb to 13th. 

Montpellier player ratings

Benjamin Lecomte – 4

Théo Sainte-Luce – 5

Maxime Estève – N/A

Replaced by Khalil Fayad (4) in the 18th after sustaining a muscular injury. 

Bécir Omeragić – 4

Falaye Sacko – 6

Jordan Ferri – 4

He was quiet in the first half and was then injured just before the half-time whistle and replaced by Sacha Delaye (5)

Boubakar Kouyaté – 6

Wahbi Khazri – 5

Téji Savanier – 8

An eye-catching and effective performance from the captain, who was a ubiquitous playmaking presence. His distribution from deeper areas broke lines and stretched play, whilst he was also effective in tighter spaces in a packed final third. Got the equalising goal late on – a just reward for a man-of-the-match performance. 

Musa Al-Taamari – 5

Akor Adams – 4

Uncharacteristically wasteful on the night, Adams didn’t manage to do anything with the few chances he had on his night with his touch often letting him down.

Selected Clermont player ratings

Maxime Gonalons – 6

Mory Diaw – 7

Diaw made an impressive saves on the night, including a crucial one from a Sevanier free-kick. This isn’t the first time that Diaw has been decisive and earned his team a point this season. With Clermont set to be in a fight for survival this season, his contributions could be the difference come the end of the season. 

GFFN | Luke Entwistle

The initial encounter between the pair was abandoned late in second-half injury time. With Montpellier 4-2 up, a firecracker, thrown from a home fan, landed and exploded at the feet of Clermont goalkeeper Mory Diaw. The game was initially suspended with the players forced back into their respective dressing rooms, before being abandoned. As ruled by the LFP, the match will be replayed in its entirety. 

The match represents a second chance for Clermont, who looked on course for a defeat, however, they will be without Seidu, who was shown a straight red card against RC Lens over the weekend, whilst manager Pascal Gastien will be forced to watch on from the stands after also seeing red against Les Sang et Or. Shamar Nicholson (26) looks set to replace Grejohn Kyei upfront. 

Clermont likely lineup v Montpellier

Mory Diaw; Maximiliano Caufriez, Florent Ogier, Andy Pelmard; Neto Borges, Habib Keïta, Maxime Gonalons, Cheick Oumar Konaté; Elbasan Rashani, Shamar Nicholson, Muhammed Cham. (L’Éq)

GFFN | Luke Entwistle

The initial fixture between the two sides was abandoned with just minutes left on the clock. Montpellier were 4-2 up when a firecracker, thrown from the Montpellier fans, landed and exploded at the feet of Clermont goalkeeper Mory Diaw. The Senegalese international had to be stretchered off the pitch. The game was initially suspended before being abandoned and then later rescheduled. The LFP decided that the game would be replayed in its entirety. 

Nordin was absent from that day in early October, but following a brief cameo over the weekend against Stade Brestois, he is in line to start the match. He will feature in a full-strength attacking line that also consists of Akor Adams, Téji Savanier and Musa Al-Taamari. 

Montpellier likely lineup v Clermont Foot

Benjamin Lecomte; Théo Saint-Luce, Boubakar Kouyaté, Bécir Omeragić, Enzo Tchato; Khalil Fayad, Jordan Ferri; Arnaud Nordin, Téji Savanier, Musa Al-Taamari; Akor Adam. (L’Éq)

GFFN | Luke Entwistle

RC Lens extended their Ligue 1 unbeaten run to eight games to consolidate their sixth place in the table after a comfortable 3-0 win over Clermont Foot. 

Lens began the match without some key figures. Kevin Danso was rested as a precaution with the Austrian international suffering from a minor niggle, whilst Florian Sotoca, Nampalys Mendy and Andy Diouf were all also absent from the starting lineup ahead of a midweek clash against Arsenal.

Despite some key absentees, Les Sang et Or nonetheless quickly established their dominance and worked Mory Diaw into two early saves. Elye Wahi then beat the Senegalese international with a clever looped header. One behind, Clermont Foot began to grow into the game and it was Brice Samba’s turn to make a crucial save, denying Grejohn Kyei from close range. 

From almost equalising, Clermont almost found themselves two down minutes later and would have been if not for a brilliant Diaw save from a close-range Wahi header. The France U21 international would not get another chance to double his account as he would be sent off before the end of the half after getting two yellows in quick succession – the first for blocking a free-kick and then a second for an altercation with Alidu Seidu. The latter was also sent off, as was manager Pascal Gastien as tensions sparked just before the half-time whistle. 

Kyei wasteful for Clermont

Diaw had been crucial in keeping the scoreline down in the first half, but he made the error early in the second half that allowed Franck Haise’s side to make the break. Intercepting a ball over the top, he tried to find his centre-back with a horizontal pass, but it was well read by Adrien Thomasson, who intercepted with a first-time finish from midway inside Clermont’s half.

Clermont had chances to halve the deficit. Two golden opportunities fell to Kyei, however, he couldn’t find the target on any occasion, even from just five yards out with the open goal to aim at. The Clermont forward perhaps hadn’t anticipated Samba allowing the simple cross going straight through him. 

Whilst Clermont lacked the finishing touch, the same could not be said of Lens, who were clinical, particularly in the second half. Wesley Saïd didn’t need long to get on the scoresheet. He turned Florent Ogier inside out, feigning to shoot twice before placing the ball past Diaw. 

Lens therefore strolled to victory and consolidated their sixth place, whilst Clermont Foot remain in the relegation zone. 

Lens player ratings

Brice Samba – 6 

Facundo Medina – 6

Culpable of being caught out of position for Kyei’s chance midway through the first half and was found wanting in a few early duels, but he grew into the game well and was composed in key moments and rediscovered his 

Abdukodir Khusanov – 5

Jonathan Gradit – 5

Przemyslaw Frankowski – 4

Salis Abdul Samed – 5

Neil El Aynaoui – 6

Ruben Aguilar – 6

Adrien Thomasson – 6 

Quiet for large periods but was switched on enough to intercept Diaw’s clumsy pass and stroke the ball into an empty net in what was the match-defining moment, which ended Clermont’s hopes of a comeback.

Elye Wahi – 4

A mixed night to say the least. Wahi was dangerous in the early stages and deservedly got his goal with a clever looped header over Diaw. He then almost got his second and would have done so if not for a brilliant reflex save from Diaw. However, he lost his head towards the end of the first half, getting a needless yellow for blocking a free-kick and then a second yellow just one minute later after getting involved in an altercation with Seidu. 

Angelo Fulgini – 4

Replaced by Morgan Guilavogui (5) at half-time, who himself withdrew through injury late in the second half.

GFFN | Luke Entwistle