Red Star can no longer win at home. Three months after its last success at the Bauer stadium against Saint-Étienne (2-1), the Seine-Saint-Denis club is still looking for a 4th success at home. This Friday evening, Grégory Poirier’s men had a great opportunity to move forward against Pau (10th) during the 22nd day of Ligue 2. But, the Audoniens got their feet stuck in the face of a solid and efficient Béarnaise team which won (0-3).
If the Audoniens reign supreme on the road by presenting – by far – the best record (24 points in 12 matches), they are on the other hand far too fragile at home with only 13 points scored in 10 matches (13th team out of 18). Too little to claim promotion to Ligue 1. In the rankings, Les Audoniens maintain their 4th place but could slip to 5th place if Saint-Étienne (6th) succeeds on Saturday evening against Montpellier (10th).
In memory of Akli
The pre-match was first marked by a poignant minute of applause in memory of Akli, the manager of the Olympic, a bar frequented by the faithful of the Saint-Ouen club.
Well into the game, the Audoniens dominated the start of the match. A shot from the toe of Haag is saved on the line by a Pau defender (8th) then a header from Meissa Ba is stopped by Reveyre (21st). Opposite, a free kick from Anziani passes close to Poussin’s goal post (41st).
When we return from the locker room, the game speeds up. Haag puts a slightly soft ball back for his goalkeeper and catches Versini by the arm in the area. The referee awards a penalty transformed into force by Anziani (0-1, 53rd). Untenable on the right flank, Versini sends a precise pass to Sissoko who slips the leather into the back of the net (0-2, 68th).
The Red Star coach brings into play one of the last two recruits of the transfer window, Balthazar Pierret (the Swiss Théo Magnin was not lined up), at the end of the match. But Pau continues its hold on the meeting. A cross shot from Sissoko hits the post (72nd) before Dong wanders through the Red Star defense to add to the score (0-3, 87th).
Beaten 3-0 in the first leg, Pau took a stunning revenge in the return match. The Audoniens are preparing to experience a complicated week before receiving Nancy (15th) next Friday.
The match sheet:
RED STAR – PAU : 0-3 (0-0).
Spectators: 4543. Referee: M. Lesage.
Buts. Anziani (53e sp), Sissoko (68e), Dong (87e).
Warnings. Red Star: Huard (31st), Haag (50th), Durivaux (82nd); Pau: Touzghar (22nd), Meddah (83rd).
Red Star : Poussin – Durivaux, Danger, Huard – Haag (Pierret, 72nd) – Sylla (Durand, 67th), R. Hachem (cap.), Khaoui (Trani, 66th), Cissé – Ikanga (Cabral, 72nd), Meissa Ba (Benali, 79th). Entr. : Poirier.
