Strasbourg (AFP)

Four goals, an assist in seven matches: Habib Diallo gradually takes on the costume of Strasbourg savior, who faces Sunday Metz, the club left with a crash by the Senegalese striker in early autumn.

To avoid any discussion, the Racing communications department was clear: "Diallo will not speak to the press this week".

Way to protect the new Alsatian nugget, snatched in the last hours of the transfer window against 10 million euros to the rival Metz, at the cost of a psychodrama in Lorraine.

Two months have passed, and in Metz, we prefer to remember the course of the phenomenon of Saint-Symphorien, his 26 goals in Ligue 2, and the 12 that followed in Ligue 1 the 2019-20 season, stopped after 26 days.

"He crossed a milestone, two capes, three capes with us and then he left. It's the life of a club. I'm not surprised by his success. We're very happy because he's a real guy Well. We also have some satisfaction, "said Friday coach Frédéric Antonetti at a press conference.

The Moselle midfielder Habib Maïga is not "surprised", either, by the success of his ex-teammate and likes to recall his involvement off the field, especially with the young Senegalese from the Génération Foot academy, founded by Metz in Dakar and from which he himself came.

"He was always trying to bring the little Senegalese back to him, to show them how it works, it touched me. He could have stayed in his corner and said + me I'm Habib Diallo +, but no, Habib taught them what it takes do's and don'ts, "Maïga told AFP.

In Strasbourg, Diallo did the same.

He showed the way to his new teammates and especially energized the offensive sector.

Since his arrival, Strasbourg has scored 14 goals in seven matches, while the club had only four in the first six days.

- Efficient -

"Having an efficient striker, it brings confidence to the collective and for me too. It is up to us to take advantage of it," attacking midfielder Adrien Thomasson told AFP, in regaining form for a few matches and scorer against Rennes at the end November.

"We are very happy that the club recruited him, he is a renowned striker who quickly adapted to our playing principles. He melted into the collective and formed a good understanding with Ludovic Ajorque", adds Thomasson.

In Nantes, the Senegalese international has evolved into a more defensive and unusual role, on the right side.

Unflinchingly.

"He sacrificed himself for the collective but he responded present, he defended well and was rewarded with a goal," said Thomasson.

Efficient, Diallo set the tone for the Meinau by scoring a goal against Lyon, in his first match with Racing.

"He does not need 50 chances to score, it gives another dimension to a team and another confidence to a group", told AFP Olivier Perrin, in charge of training in Metz and former manager of Generation Foot.

If the situation is "still precarious" in Alsace, we feel a shudder.

After the draw against Rennes (1-1) and a straightforward victory in Nantes (4-0), the objective is clearly to continue a series over the next three meetings (Metz, Angers, Bordeaux), "matches to our scope, "according to Thomasson.

A success in the derby of the East against the rival Metz would first allow the Alsatians to leave the relegation zone, which they have occupied since the start of the championship ...

© 2020 AFP