A draw and a victory during added time. On the road, the two Ile-de-France representatives of the National scored crucial goals during the money-time of this 19th day of the National.
What you must remember
After three weeks without a match, Red Star showed that it had character by snatching a draw from Sochaux in the 90th + 6 (2-2). Trailing 2-0 at the break, the leader upset the Sochaliens in the second period. After the gap was reduced by Kemo Cissé (2-1, 48th), Merwan Ifnaoui’s volley grazed the post (65th) then Gozzi found the post on a header from a corner (81st). Despite the expulsion of Meyapya (90th + 1), Habib Beye’s players continued to push and were rewarded by the equalizer from Hacène Benali (2-2, 90th + 6), his 6th goal of the season.
Thanks to this draw, Red Star maintains a comfortable lead at the top with 6 points ahead of Niort (2nd), 7 over Martigues (3rd) and 11 over Sochaux (4th).
Versailles, which remained in 4 games without a victory (a draw and three consecutive defeats), stopped this bad spiral by winning in Rouen (2-1). A great performance after a match where Grégory Vignal changed systems three times in the second period, 4-3-3, 4-4-2, 3-5-2. The victory was snatched at the last minute thanks to a goal from Kevin Nadje (1-2, 90th), already author of the decisive pass on Mehdi Baaloudj’s goal in the first period (0-1, 20th). Nadje, certainly the best player at Versailles for several weeks, scored his 5th goal of the season.
Approached by several clubs in the transfer window, the ex-Laval player will finish the season well at Versailles. Just before the goal of Nadje’s release, Sébastien Renot saved his team by winning his duel against Sy (82nd). A victory in the form of relief for Versailles. The explosion of joy from the staff, management and players on the pitch spoke volumes…
The player: Mehdi Baaloudj
The Versailles striker gave himself a nice birthday present for his 23rd birthday with his 7th goal of the season. Well served by Kevin Nadje, Mehdi Baaloudj found the top corner with a magnificent shot. Already the author of magnificent goals before the break, the player from Seine-et-Marne and who played for OM, Guingamp and Martigues, is one of the revelations of this National season.
The figure: 11,905
The number of spectators in Bonal for Sochaux – Red Star. An attendance worthy of Ligue 2. After almost disappearing this summer, Sochaux, which will face Rennes on Tuesday in the round of 16 of the Coupe de France, is coming back to life.
The reaction: “One day, Gérard Houillier told me, it is at the back of the wall that you will see if your players have character”, Grégory Vignal (Versailles)
Grégory Vignal, the Versailles coach, was obviously relieved after this victory in Rouen: “This one does us a lot of good,” he admits on FFTV. We will savor it. As I told the players during the talk, I can give them all my love, all my energy, but the actors are them. One day Gérard Houllier told me, it’s up to the wall that you’ll see if your players have character. From where he is, he must be proud… We had worked well and prepared for this match. I would like to take this opportunity to greet my daughter who is celebrating her 17th birthday in Glasgow today. This victory is also for her. »
Match sheets
SOCHAUX – RED STAR : 2-2 (2-0).
Goals. Sochaux: Da Costa (19th, 45th); Red Star: K. Cissé (48th), Benali (90 + 6).
Red Star: Beunardeau – Gozzi (El Hriti, 83rd), Kouagba, Meyapya – Cisse (Benali, 83rd), Dembi, Eickmayer (Botella, 72nd), Durand – Hachem, Ifnaoui – Anani (Ndoye, 56th). Entr. : Beye.
ROUEN – VERSAILLES: 1-2 (1-1).
Goals. Rouen: Loppy (35th sp); Versailles: Baaloudj (20th), Nadje (90th).
Versailles: Renot – Leborgne, Jaques (cap.), Akueson, Diakhaby, – Mendes (Karamoko, 61st), Basque, Nadje – Bangoura (Prunier; 61st), Mbala (Mané, 61st), Baaloudj (Hend, 90th + 1) .. Enter. : Vignal.
