By Le Figaro
Published yesterday at 10:54 p.m., Updated yesterday at 11:35 p.m.
Reims returns to level with Lille in fourth place in the L1 ranking. FRANCOIS NASCIMBENI / AFP
After two defeats, Stade de Reims returned to victory this Friday against Strasbourg, at the opening of the 14th day.
Reims smiles again… despite the scares at the end. Beaten by PSG and Rennes in their last two outings, Will Still’s players dominated Strasbourg (2-1) this Friday, during the first match of the 14th day of Ligue 1. Victory which allows the Champagne club to remain solidly installed in the leading car, in fifth place in the ranking, with the same number of points as Lille (4th). After three draws, the Alsatians lost again. They have not experienced the joys of victory since September 24, in Metz (0-1), and are 14th with one point ahead of Toulouse (15th) and two ahead of the Lorient play-off (16th).
However, it was Patrick Vieira’s players who got off to the best start. They created a huge opportunity through Emegha (9th), scorer against OM last week (1-1). Alas, the Dutchman did not have the same success… What a failure! The sanction was not long in coming. On a cross from Matusiwa, Richardson sent it under the bar, from the left (1-0, 10th). As misfortune never happens alone, Nyamsi was injured (13th). The situation had completely changed and Reims was pushing hard. Racing finally got its head out of the water, with Diarra forcing Diouf to relax (34th), the better to… dive back in. With Perrin as gravedigger. The Strasbourg defender tackled Daramy by propelling the ball into the back of his net (2-0, 42nd). Strasbourg on the street at the end of the first period. 2-0 at the break, cheap… Without a good Sels in his goals, the score was higher.
Strasbourg powerless
No change in the eleven, no Strasbourg revolt upon resumption. However, the debates were (much) more balanced at the start of the second half. But more would have been needed from the visitors, who did not worry their hosts, and even less Diouf. It was even Ito who made Strasbourg tremble with this roulette in the area (62nd). The domination, although slight, was nevertheless Alsatian, but Diouf is a good L1 goalkeeper: the proof with this relaxation to thwart Gameiro’s plans (69th). Sels was not to be outdone and made a good save in front of Ito, a little too personal on this one (74th). We were starting to get really bored at Auguste-Delaune. Which obviously suited the SDR’s business. Quiet success? No, because De Smet caught Angelo in the area, offering a penalty to Gameiro (1-1, 87th). Racing played all out… in vain (2-1).
Continuation of the program on Saturday, at 5 p.m., with a duel between Lens, who remain in a debacle in London against Arsenal (6-0) in the Champions League, and OL, who are in the bottom position in the standings. At 9 p.m., Nantes, which has just installed Jocelyn Gourvennec as coach, will challenge the Niçois, second in Ligue 1. We will have to wait until Sunday to see the Parisian leader in action. It will be around 1 p.m., in Le Havre.
