The dolphin failed to tame the leader. In the shock at the top of this 18th day of L2, Red Star did not pass its test this Saturday in Aube against a solid team from Troyes by losing (1-0). The ambitious Audonians may have some regrets, especially during a poorly negotiated first period where they conceded the only goal of the match. While it could join Troyes at the top of L2, the Seine-Saint-Denis club carried out a bad operation by now being 6 lengths behind its opponent of the day, well on its way to L1.
Its second place, synonymous with accession to the elite, is threatened by Saint-Étienne (3rd) and Le Mans (4th) who face each other this Saturday evening. In the event of victories for one of the two teams or for Reims (5th) against Annecy, Grégory Poirier’s men would fall to 3rd place.
Deprived of its captain Riyad Hachem (knee), the Red Star suffered from the first minutes the enthusiasm of the Trojans, determined to show who is the boss of L2. A poor restart from Haag is poorly exploited by Detourbet (3rd) then Bentayeb (7th, 25th) and Diop (15th, 39th) are very close to opening the score for the locals. Embarrassed in the restart and often beaten in the duels, the Audonians ended up breaking down at the end of the first act. Following a great collective action, Bentayeb puts the ball out of Poussin’s reach with a curling left-footed shot (1-0, 43rd).
Returning from the locker room, the Red Star coach made two changes with the entry of two attackers, Cabral and Benali, to change the course of the match. The Audonians regain (a little) control of the ball but expose themselves to Trojan counterattacks. Bentayeb misses the target after a caviar from Detourbet (52nd) then the latter forces Poussin into a nice save (64th).
Red Star’s luck came in the 68th when Trani served Cissé, well placed in the area, but the left midfielder’s shot flew away (68th). Trani (80th) then Cabral (90th + 2) also missed the target at the end of the match. In vain.
“I feel disappointed and frustrated with our first period. There was so much waiting but we must admit we lost against stronger players, admits Grégory Poirier. It was insufficient in many areas in the first half, even if we were level in the second half with some risk-taking. The return to competition is brutal. If we want to stay (in the top places), we will have to do a little more. Our objective beyond the ranking is to become a big L2 team. » Eliminated from the Coupe de France, the Red Star will play a match in Dijon (National) next Friday before playing the 19th day of L2 in Grenoble on January 17.
The match sheet
TROYES – RED STAR : 1-0 (1-0). Spectators: 5000. Referee: Mr. Kubler.
But. Troyes : Bentayeb (43e).
Warnings. Troyes: Maronnier (36th); Khaoui (58th), Danger (90th + 3).
Red Star : Poussin – Durivaux, Lemonnier, Danger – Haag – Sylla (Benali, 46th), Eickmayer, Khaoui (Trani, 65th), Cissé (A. Hachem, 84th) – Ikanga (Cabral, 46th), Durand (cap.). Enter. : Poirier.
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