Strasbourg (AFP)
After their home win (1-0), Strasbourg is at the gates of the feat against Eintracht Frankfurt Thursday (20:30), but it will have to resist on the turf of the Germans, in dams back from the Europa League.
Only three years after regaining professionalism, the RCSA wants to continue to grow at great speed and could change size by reaching the phases of the C3 chickens.
If the Alsatian club managed to get rid of Frankfurt, semi-finalist last season, he would have several pitfalls to overcome, difficulties he has not been used to for a long time. Indeed, his last participation in the Europa League, which was then called UEFA Cup, dates back to the 2005/2006 season!
In case of qualification, Racing would only have a few days to strengthen to be able to figure well on the European scene, without neglecting the championship, which will remain the priority. Very often, the French clubs who had a long summer course to reach the chickens of the C3, know a difficult season in Ligue 1.
Thus, last year, Bordeaux had also had to pass three preliminary rounds to win the right to play in the Europa League. The Girondins, who had recruited strikers Andreas Cornelius and Yann Karamoh in the final hours of the transfer window to face these additional meetings, failed to qualify for the round of 16, before finishing 14th in the championship ...
However, the situation is a little different than in Strasbourg since the departure of coach Gustavo Poyet on the second day of L1 had also contributed to this galley season.
- "Nothing to lose" -
Strasbourg, back in L1 in 2017, six years after a bankruptcy synonymous with downgrading to the 5th Division, is not obsessed with this qualification for the Europa League, but is not afraid of this prospect and intends to sell well his in the Commerzbank Arena, where the atmosphere promises to be hot.
"We do not have an obligation to reach the hens, but now that we are in front of the door, we want it to open, slipped the coach Thierry Laurey before the barrage. We have already managed to create surprises, so why make a nice gift against Frankfurt! "
The Alsatian technician, who had rested several executives Sunday against Rennes (2-0 defeat), should line up a team able to withstand the German physical challenge and defend well.
C3 semi-finalist last season and favorite before the confrontation, Eintracht is at the foot of the wall before this return match and is wary of the RCSA: "They are very good in the transition game.It will be vigilant, a game smart and not rushing, points out coach Adolf Hütter. "We must not concede a goal and we must find solutions to an opponent who is very, very low. And who will be "ready to suffer" in the words of Thierry Laurey.
© 2019 AFP