This Wednesday, December 23, the Stade de Reims left Bordeaux with three points, for its last meeting of the year 2020. A success which offers it a new breath of fresh air after a first part of the season below its expectations.
This season, with the premature and inglorious elimination in the Europa League at Fehervar, in the third preliminary round (0-0, 4-1 on penalties), is not yet in the tradition of its predecessors. But thanks to a good month of December (8 points taken out of 15 possible), the Rémois have regained their distance from the red zone. At the time of the Christmas break, they count five points ahead of the jump-off position occupied by Lorient, and five in Dijon and Nîmes. Always good to take.
PROGRESS IN THE GAME – The recovery observed in the accounting plan is inevitably linked to the progress of David Guion’s men. The reception of Nice, between two teams in crying lack of confidence, had the merit of stopping the bleeding (0-0) and the trip to Brest, despite the defeat (2-1), had given us some good signals, especially in the second period. Xavier Chavalerin mentioned it again on Wednesday in the bowels of Matmut Atlantique: there was a before and a after Nantes (3-2).“This difficult victory has put us back on the right track”, hammered the midfielder, who honored his 70th game in L1 with the Stadium.
Solid and tactically consistent in Marseille (1-1), the Rémois were diligent and enterprising against the Girondins. “My team showed a lot of control. I have more and more players at their level, and that changes everything ”, a appreciated David Guion, who had often pointed to deficiencies in this area. Arranged in 4-1-4-1 (or 4-3-3), with Cassama in sentry and the welcome return of Chavalerin, the Stade gleaned a great collective victory.
If he weighed less offensively than his cronies, Nathanaël Mbuku has “Played an important tactical role”, to bring the excess in the midfield and allow the Marnais to hold the ball even better in the first half. Faced with Girondins deprived of Otavio, mid-register more recovering compared to Adli or Basic, the Rémois made the law in the first period. A domination that was quickly reflected on the scoreboard thanks to the inevitable Yunis Abdelhamid, a fresh centenary in L1.
ZENELI CONFIRMS, DIA ALWAYS ON THE GOOD STROKE – Rather connected to alternating current since arriving in Reims, Arber Zeneli is more and more influential. Scorer from a direct corner in Brest, decisive passer for Cafaro against Nantes, direct player in the goal against his Nagatomo camp in Marseille, the Kosovar attacking midfielder is involved in the first two goals stadistes in Gironde. Talented but often too individualistic before, he is turning a corner and seems more and more physically sharp. To be confirmed in 2021 but when it has refined its game even further, it will become a major asset over time.
Boulaye Dia, meanwhile, still played a leading role. Scorer for the tenth time in the league this season, then passer at the end of the match for Marshall Munetsi, the Senegalese international ended the match on the right side after the entry of El Bilal Touré.
THE FIRST GOAL IN L1 FOR MARSHALL MUNETSI – It didn’t take long for him to stand out, symbolizing the notable contribution of the replacements in this collective victory. Five minutes after coming into play, Marshall Munetsi had the hint of success it needed when served by Dia, he unleashed a counter strike that deceived Benoît Costil (88th, 1-3). His broad, communicative smile radiated the lawn of Matmut Atlantique. Ghislain Konan jumped for joy. He was certainly not the only one on Wednesday night.
Stade de Reims knows more about its month of January
The Rémois will return to training this Thursday, December 31. It will then be time to plan on the first meeting of the year 2021, with the reception in Dijon, Wednesday January 6 (9 p.m.), on behalf of the 18th day. The 19th and 20th rounds have also been scheduled: the Stadium will host Saint-Étienne on Saturday 9 (9 p.m.), before moving to Lille on Sunday 17 (5 p.m.).
