RC Strasbourg is having an exceptional season which could end with qualification for a European Cup.
Before the match in Brest this Saturday (5 p.m.), 20 Minutes asked the opinion of Strasbourg fans.
Will they be disappointed if Racing does not finish in the top 5 or 6?
The answers are obviously variable but a strong feeling emerges: their team made them vibrate this season!
Look no further for Racing's last match at La Meinau.
Next Saturday against Clermont (9 p.m.), the Strasbourg enclosure will still be full.
For the tenth sold-out meeting of the season, out of ten possible excluding health restrictions.
This crazy enthusiasm is the best witness to the exceptional season achieved by Dimitri Liénard's partners.
Very close to relegation to Ligue 2 last year, they are this time in the race for a place in the Top 6 of Ligue 1. A ranking that could send them to the European Cup at the start of the school year!
Alsatian fans have been dreaming about it for months, thanks to a series of eleven unbeaten outings.
But would they be disappointed if their Racing, current 6th and which plays this Saturday in Brest (5 p.m.) finally misses the qualification?
20 Minutes
asked them the question.
And their answers… inevitably vary.
With a clear trend, however: "It will remain a good season which marks a clear progression for the club", sums up David, who does not have a short memory.
Eleven years ago, in the summer of 2011, the RCSA was relegated to CFA 2, the fifth division!
"We must not forget where we come from", supports another David.
“This Racing has a heart”
Another feeling widely shared by the fans: the happiness provided by this training led by Julien Stéphan.
Either the 4th attack in the championship, capable of cards against Saint-Etienne (5-1), Bordeaux (5-2) or even Metz (3-0).
“I have never experienced such a season, both in terms of accounting and the team's level of play, appreciates Stéphane, who comes to the stadium with his 9-year-old daughter.
The matches this year are exciting, the coach breathed something new into the players who quickly responded favorably to his methods […] I am proud and happy to be a supporter of this Racing.
He has a heart, he plays for the happiness of his fans and has fun on the pitch.
»
A true beautiful testimony of love far from being isolated.
Pierre also evokes "superb encounters with strong emotions when Eric salutes "a remarkable president (Marc Keller) as he was also as a player, a great coach and players who have risen to an exceptional level".
"The staff, the players made us dream but above all vibrate and brighten up our daily lives", synthesizes Caroline in this concert of praise.
"When you eat caviar all season..."
But would there still be some disappointments in the event of 7th or 8th place?
Yes !
“After being in the Top 5 for so long, it would be very frustrating.
The defeat against Lille was very bitter and changes everything.
If we add Lyon's goal in stoppage time, that's 4 points lost, ”points out Cédric.
“When you eat caviar all season long, it's normal to hope for a nice dessert,” adds Ugo, continuing the metaphor.
“And then, I also tell myself that if it's not for this season, we won't see a qualification for the European Cup anytime soon.
Miracles never happen twice!
»
Unless the Strasbourg club comes, whatever happens to this end of the championship, to continue its progress.
Many hope so.
“I prefer that Racing take a step forward in Ligue 1 by settling at the top of the table rather than participating in a European competition which risks tiring the team”, continues David.
“Club in reconstruction, small budget, we must not skip the stages: the European Cup requires a larger workforce, the risk is to play the next Ligue 1 season in the depths of the classification”, supports Jean-Jacques.
"I knew the Meinau where it whistled at halftime"
Huber is already looking ahead.
“The most important thing is to consolidate.
To keep the coach and the good elements for next season, ”he advocates.
“The biggest disappointment, which I fear in the near future, would be that we lose the current spirit, which makes the public support the team no matter what.
Having higher ambitions exposes the club to greater disappointments if goals are not met.
I knew the Meinau where it whistled at half-time because there was only a draw.
Since the descent, we have become a club with nothing to lose.
That's why we have everything to gain, ”recalls Fayssal for his part.
As a warning.
But it would be a shame to end this consultation on a slightly negative note… So the final word goes to Stéphane, who had the elegance to thank
20 Minutes
for his articles.
“If Racing is not European, we will have had a dream season, with committed players, attached to their shirts, and at least as much in love with their public as we are with our club.
If we were in the race for the title, playing defensively and winning 1-0 on a penalty late in the game, we would not be as happy as when Perrin harangues us and Guilbert makes his angry comebacks.
It's been a successful season in every way, and we'll be proud whether we're 5th or 8th at the end of the season.
One love, Racing Club de Strasbourg!
»
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