OWe could not have believed in an exceptional return from the supporters, smoke in hand to celebrate their return to the stadium. But no. This Saturday evening, it is a thick fog which invited itself on the Lensoise lawn. Difficult conditions with a negative temperature that would not have helped anyone. The result is a somewhat messy match on both sides. Strasbourg won over Bollaert, 1-0.
A start to the match clearly to the advantage of the Alsatians who remembered that their advantage was in the aerial game. A multitude of duels won and a much finer progression to put the thrills on the goals of Jean-Louis Leca. Lens gropes, gets disorganized and the Strasbourg rear pushes to lock the Blood and Gold in the axis. And yet Clément Michelin thought he had found the opening against the course of the game (19th). But the piston is slightly out of play when starting its stroke.
Diallo shoots Leca
Then the punishment. Goal refused for Lens which brings in the wake of the flash of Diallo. At the entrance to the surface, Ajorque cleverly delivers for his friend, alone in the axis, who fixes and lights the skylight of Jean-Louis Leca. A formidable efficiency in the ranks of Strasbourg which allows the group of Thierry Laurey to still close behind. The Blood and Gold still does not reach Kawashima. It’s not for lack of trying… Ajorque was on the verge of affording the station wagon after scratching the leather in Kakuta’s feet. But the post saves Leca from disaster.
One less good
Athletically below, the Lensois finally find space on the wings. A luxury that Sylla and Michelin are in a hurry to exploit. Kawashima’s goals finally in sight, Kalimuendo and Sotoca finally succeed in pushing back the Alsatian hinge. Before the break, Sotoca does not pass far from the equalizer. His pivotal strike is captured at the last moment by the Strasbourg porter.
Once again in reaction, the Lensois are busy a little more seriously on their task. Djiku is forced to extend his leg to repel Sylla’s strike on his line. Sotoca will also be missing three centimeters to take over Michelin’s cross from the penalty spot. A riot of energy that does not pay off. Loïc Badé limps out (80 ‘). Sissoko stumbles on Leca at the end of the race. Franck Haise is annoyed but his training will not do better. Lens lost for the second time in a row and moved to ninth place in the standings. Nothing alarming, but a lot of frustration when taking stock of the defensive flaws of this Lens team.
Fog spoils the fun
Thierry Laurey, the Strasbourg coach seems to have a little regret despite the victory. ” It doesn’t play out much. But the victory could have been much larger. We tried to score the second goal but we gave them more of the ball. It wasn’t deliberate, but we wanted to save our strength a bit. I took no pleasure in the first half, because we couldn’t see anything. Some of my players told me that. The referee decided alone like a big boy to start the match. It’s like that. Ludo apparently pulled the post. It’s always regrettable not being able to have fun coaching your team. »
Bellegarde back home
Trained in Lens, Strasbourg defender Jean Ricner Bellegarde confides after the match: “ Coming back to Bollaert made me happy. And come away with 3 points too. It’s a shame that there were no supporters. We know Bollaert for the atmosphere, so it was not pleasant. On the ground, it was complicated. We couldn’t see the guard. It is also difficult to play long and cross. This is the first time that I play in these conditions. »
Loïc Badé: “We lacked communication”
For his part, Lensois Loic Badé believes: “ I think we lacked communication on the goal we are taking. Then they put the bus on. We had the qualities to pick up, we did not manage to do it. We are at fault, there are days without. We made mistakes we can only blame ourselves. We can’t wait to continue so we can reverse the trend. »
Franck Haise: “We lacked aggression”
Finally, the coach of RC Lens speaks without detours. ” We weren’t good enough not to concede a goal. The one we took was largely preventable. I am not satisfied with this. “He adds about the weather conditions:” I had a hard time seeing the pitch personally. We are not going to hide behind that, because we knew how to carry out sequences. I have no explanation for our less well. We had to use the ball well and even if there was good will we were lacking in the positioning and the technical accuracy that this meeting required. We lacked aggressiveness on goal, we were not present where we needed to.
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Technical sheet
Lens – Strasbourg : 0-1
Scorers: Diallo (21 ‘)
Warnings: Bellegarde (51st) for Strasbourg. Cahuzac (51 ‘) for Lens
The 11 lensois: Leca, Gradit, Badé (Doucouré 73rd), Haïdara, Sylla, Michelin, Fofana, Cahuzac (c, Banza 80th), Kakuta, Sotoca (Jean 80th), Kalimuendo (Ganago 73rd).
Manager: Franck Haise
The 11th Strasbourg: Kawashima, Simakan (Mitrovic 46th), Lala, Caci, Djiku, Aholou, Bellegarde (Carole 71st), Thomasson (c, Liénard 90th), Sissoko, Ajorque, Diallo (Waris 80th)
Coach: Thierry Laurey
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