Reims (AFP)
At four days of his shock at the Meinau against Eintracht Frankfurt in the Europa League playoffs, Strasbourg has held good (0-0) on the lawn of Reims, Sunday during the second day of Ligue 1.
The Alsatians, not very inspired, especially in the first period, have at least had the merit to defend well and garner certainty in this area before facing the German armada, semi-finalist of the C3 last season.
Thursday, the RCSA had already managed to keep his clean sheet when the success (1-0) against the Bulgarians of Lokomotiv Plovdiv, synonymous with qualification for the dams.
After this draw, Racing has two points and goes back to 13th place in L1.
The Rémois, who had started the season with great fanfare by winning in Marseille, have four and are temporarily back at the foot of the podium.
Despite a dominion champenoise, the first big opportunity is Alsatian: on a free kick by Jonas Martin, Alexander Djiku, alone at six meters, missed his recovery in the ideal position (26th).
Reims monopolizes the ball but stumbles on a solid defense of Strasbourg, like Boulaye Dia resumed after a nice raid (22nd), or misses the frame, as Jacques-Alaixys Romao (32nd) or Dia (33rd, 34th). And when Xavier Chavalerin rules the target, it is Matz Sels who repels his attempt (37th) ...
After the break, the RCSA is finally enterprising and begins to roll back the Reims block. Quickly, Thierry's players get more dangerous situations than during the first act.
Pedrag Rajkovic must plunge into the feet of Ludovic Ajorque to counter his attempt (51st), before diverting a corner for a point-blank header Djiku (61st).
The entrance of Suk Hyun-jun shortly after the hour of play reinvigorates the Reims attack. The South Korean misses the skylight (67th) then can not take two balls for a few centimeters (70th and 83rd).
Despite a last attempt by Rémi Oudin who finds the small net (90 + 3), Reims fails to blow the Alsacian lock, which will be stretched again on Thursday.
© 2019 AFP