Gédéon Kalulu made his long-awaited return to action on Saturday afternoon, featuring in FC Lorient’s 2-1 win over En Avant Guingamp on Matchday 34 of the French Ligue 2 season.
The Congolese international, sidelined since 14 February 2025 due to injury, was introduced for the final ten minutes of the encounter.
After being named on the bench in the previous match, Kalulu finally stepped back onto the pitch to help secure a crucial result for the Ligue 2 leaders.
Lorient’s latest victory keeps them firmly in control at the top of the table. With just four matches remaining in the campaign, the Breton side now need only two wins and a draw to guarantee automatic promotion to Ligue 1.
Saturday’s success also mathematically confirms a minimum third-place finish, ensuring at least a place in the promotion play-offs.
For Lorient, the result represents another significant step toward a return to France’s top flight.
The contribution of key players returning from injury—such as Kalulu—may prove vital in the closing stretch of the season.
The defender’s reappearance on the field comes at a pivotal time for a squad seeking to maintain its momentum through to the final whistle of the campaign.
Kalulu’s role in the match, while brief, was seen as a symbolic and strategic boost to the team.
His presence solidified the defensive line during a tense finale and reaffirmed manager Régis Le Bris’s confidence in the player’s readiness.
The return of the Congolese defender also adds experience and depth to a backline that will need to be at its best to secure promotion.
The match itself was closely contested. Lorient opened the scoring before Guingamp found an equaliser, only for the league leaders to reclaim the advantage and hold firm until the final whistle.
Kalulu’s late substitution helped the home side weather a push from their opponents, preserving the narrow lead and delivering another three points.
With Lorient riding high and promotion within touching distance, the return of players like Kalulu is being hailed as perfectly timed.
The club’s supporters, who have endured a rollercoaster season, will be encouraged by the increasing availability of their key squad members.
Kalulu, 26, has been an important figure for Lorient since joining the club and is also a regular for the DR Congo national team.
His defensive solidity and calm under pressure have made him a reliable presence when fit.
The recent injury setback threatened to derail his season, but his recovery could now influence Lorient’s final push for top-tier football.
As Lorient prepare for the remaining four fixtures, the atmosphere around the team has been lifted by both their strong league position and the return of influential players like Kalulu.
The club now stands on the verge of a successful campaign, with the Congolese defender potentially playing a crucial part in the final chapter.
