Clermont Foot 63 fell to Red Star FC 1-0 on Friday evening in Ligue 2 action, marking a crucial victory for the visitors as they continue their pursuit of promotion to Ligue 1. The result at the Stade Gabriel-Montpied saw Red Star regain their winning form on the road, something that had eluded them in recent weeks.
After a frustrating stretch of results away from home – a 1-1 draw at Rodez, followed by defeats at Annecy (2-1) and Saint-Étienne (2-0) – Red Star demonstrated resilience and tactical discipline to secure their eighth away win of the season. This victory not only strengthens their position in the league standings but also provides a significant boost to their playoff aspirations.
The match itself was a tightly contested affair. Despite a dominant spell from Red Star territorially, Clermont proved dangerous in the opening stages. A long-range effort from Baalal narrowly missed the post in the 18th minute, and a goal from Salmier was subsequently disallowed due to a handball in the build-up just five minutes later. Red Star responded towards the complete of the first half, with Pierret’s shot being saved by Guivarch, and a glaring miss from Cabral, who found himself in a promising position but failed to control the ball effectively.
Benali Breaks the Deadlock
The second half saw continued pressure from both sides. Vital Nsimba’s half-volley struck the post early on, signaling Red Star’s intent. The breakthrough finally arrived in the 64th minute when Red Star was awarded a penalty after a handball foul committed by Sow following a shot from Haag. Hacene Benali, who had just entered the game as a substitute, calmly converted the spot-kick, scoring his fourth goal of the season and giving Red Star the lead.
Clermont pushed for an equalizer, with Bamba hitting the crossbar from a free-kick in the 71st minute. Yet, Red Star remained resolute in defense, managing the game effectively and securing a well-deserved victory. The team finished the match with ten men after manager Grégory Poirier was sent off in the 77th minute.
This win consolidates Red Star’s fourth-place position in Ligue 2, creating some breathing room between themselves and their playoff rivals, Rodez (currently in fifth) and Montpellier (seventh). The Audoniens now have 27 points and are firmly in contention for a top-five finish and a chance to compete for promotion.
Coach Poirier opted to field the same starting eleven that secured a 1-0 win against Dunkerque the previous Saturday. The team’s solidity was further emphasized by their 12th clean sheet of the season, a testament to their defensive organization and goalkeeper Poussin’s consistent performances.
Red Star’s upcoming schedule includes an intriguing friendly match against local rivals Paris FC (currently in Ligue 1) next week. Following the international break, they will face Laval on April 3rd and Bastia on April 14th, both matches taking place at the Stade Bauer. These fixtures present a favorable opportunity for Red Star to further solidify their position in the league table and move closer to their promotion goal.
MATCH FACTS
CLERMONT – RED STAR : 0-1 (0-0). Attendance: 5,000. Referee: Gaillouste.
Goal: Benali (64th minute, penalty).
Bookings: Clermont: Sow (39th minute); Red Star: Pierret (5th minute), Danger (28th minute), Durivaux (70th minute).
Sent Off: Red Star: Poirier (Manager, 77th minute).
Red Star Starting XI: Poussin – Durivaux, Lemonnier, Danger – Haag – Magnin (Sylla, 74th minute), Pierret, R. Hachem (captain), Durand (Cissé, 74th minute) – Cabral (Ikanga, 62nd minute), A. Hachem (Benali, 62nd minute). Manager: Poirier.
The victory for Red Star is a significant step forward in what is shaping up to be a thrilling conclusion to the Ligue 2 season. Their ability to grind out results, even in challenging circumstances, will be crucial as they navigate the remaining fixtures and strive to achieve their ambition of reaching Ligue 1.
Next up for Red Star is the friendly against Paris FC, providing a valuable opportunity to assess players and maintain momentum before the resumption of league action after the international break.
