At the end of a superb meeting, Strasbourg and Lens finally leave good friends (2-2) this Wednesday, within the framework of the 18th day of Ligue 1. Bad operation for the two teams, but what a spectacle!
Fofana did not succeed in being decisive at Meinau.
The next match for Lens, the survival match for Strasbourg. It was written that this meeting was to end in a draw (2-2) this Wednesday, as part of the 18th day of Ligue 1. But it will only be a draw in name, because the Alsatians and the Northerners have offered a superb spectacle to the public of La Meinau.
No doubt small consolation for the players, as the RCL saw PSG regain a six-point lead 10 days after their victory against the now autumn champions, while the RCSA remain penultimate.
La Meinau explodes in two minutes
Despite the 19th place in the league and a pitiful elimination in the Coupe de France last weekend, the Stade de la Meinau responded present entry. But he was quickly showered by Claude-Maurice: already a scorer against Paris (3-1) on the last day, the former Niois gave up after a great personal action (0-1, 11th). Sonns, the Alsatians? Far from it. After a little mess on a corner, Prcic quickly put his people back in the game by lighting up Samba at close range (1-1, 14th)!
And two short minutes later, Gameiro blew up the Meinau by taking a strike from Ajorque badly repelled by Samba (2-1, 16th)! A crazy scenario, and so Strasbourg. But Mathieu Le Scornet’s men, in interim following the departure of Julien Stphan, ended up conceding the equalizer on a nice helmet shot signed Openda half an hour into the game (2-2, 33rd). Back from the locker room, the same fight: the ball for Lens, the counter-attacks for Strasbourg, but less intensity.
The Guardians Festival
A physical slack, on one side or the other? Yes, but temporary. After a quarter of an hour, Fofana shook the Meinau and the crossbar of Sels! Gameiro also thought he scored, but he fell on a good Samba. And on the counter, Openda failed in the same way against Sels! Stop? Still ! The Lens goalkeeper shone again in front of Diallo, and what about the Strasbourg goalkeeper’s saves in front of Sotoca then Costa? Exceptional.
A slew of nice gestures, which Mothiba ended with a huge rat at the end of the match. And that’s almost so much the better, because no team deserved to lose. And since it’s not possible for both to win… both will settle for it. Despite the wrong operation. Or rather the bad operations: Paris, who fell from Angers (3-0), regained a six-point lead over the Sang et Or while the Alsatians remain 19th in the championship, without any home victory.
Match score: 8/10
What show ! A habit with the Racing Club de Lens, but less with that of Strasbourg this season. This evening, the two teams delighted the public at La Meinau with four goals, numerous clear chances and, above all, crazy intensity. From the first to the last minute.
The goals :
– Medina finds Claude-Maurice 25 meters away. The former Niois strolls and enters the area before deceiving Sels from the left (0-1, 11th).
– After a scramble on a corner, Prcic inherits the ball in the area and shoots Samba close range (1-1, 14th).
– Diarra finds Ajorque 20 meters away, who strikes. Samba pushes back his shot… at the feet of Gameiro, who closes (2-1, 16th).
– Right alert, Sotoca addresses a millimeter center for the unstoppable helmet shot of Openda (2-2, 33rd).
Players’ NOTES
Maxifoot has assigned a score (out of 10) comments on each player.
Man of the match: Jean-Ricner Bellegarde (8/10)
Being the best midfielder on the pitch is not easy when Seko Fofana is there, but Jean-Ricner Bellegarde has achieved this feat today. No goal or decisive pass for him, but an XXL performance in the midfield. It’s simple, the former Lensois was absolutely everywhere. In attack, in the middle, in defense, and wherever the game called for it. Kudos to the artist.
STRASBOURG :
Coming soon: discover the notes and comments on the STRASBOURG players, updated in a few moments…
LENS :
Brice Samba (6): excellent against Paris (3-1) last week, the Lensois goalkeeper had a mixed match at La Meinau. Because he is far from being irreproachable on the second Strasbourg goal with this ball pushed back on Gameiro, but he then saved his people against this same Gameiro, without forgetting another crazy save in front of Diallo.
Jonathan Gradit (5): still indisputable as a right central defender, Gradit had a special game. On the second Strasbourg goal, he lacks concentration against Gameiro on the ball pushed back by Samba. But he also made some great defensive moves, and made his recovery quality speak for itself.
Kevin Danso (5.5): opposed to the imposing Ajorque, the central defender drew with the Strasbourg striker. Because his opponent did not score, but he was able to offer Gameiro the second goal.
Facundo Medina (6): always so valuable in the revival, Medina started his match with a superb line-breaking pass for Claude-Maurice, who went on goal. But he did not shine defensively afterwards, like this ball too easily lost to Diarra on the 2-1.
Przemyslaw Frankowski (6): author of the opener against PSG (3-1) on the last day, the versatile right piston has once again made a good match, but without decisive gesture. Defensively, he gave a lot.
Seko Fofana (6): after his XXL match against PSG (3-1) on the last day, Fofana did not shine at Meinau, but he did not have to either. He even had a good match, but given his immense talent, we now expect more. The speech would obviously have been different if his half-volley, which ended up on the bar, had shaken the net.
Jean Onana (5.5): warned shortly after kick-off for a big foul on Prcic, the midfielder still did a good job in midfield, but the absence of Abdul Samed was is all the same felt. Replace 73rd minute with Lukasz Poreba (not not).
Deiver Machado (5.5): on his left side, the side was very generous. And he could have hit the mark with this fine half-volley, finally stopped by Sels. Replace 79th minute with Massadio Hadara (not not).
Florian Sotoca (7): still interesting in this position of right attacker, Sotoca sent a millimeter Openda center for the northern equalizer before the break. And he could even have given his side a definitive advantage at the end of the game, but a brilliant Sels decided otherwise.
Alexis Claude Maurice (6): surprise holder but scorer against Paris (3-1) during the previous day, the former Niois delivered against the Strasbourgeois by opening the scoring after a small personal festival. Unfortunately, it gradually disappeared thereafter. Replace 73rd minute with David Costa (not)another victim of Sels late in the game.
Lois Openda (7): scorer and above all brilliant against PSG (3-1) during the last day, the striker once again shook the nets this evening, thanks to a nice helmet shot. He caused many problems for the Strasbourg defenders, but we will also remember his unsuccessful duel against Sels in the second period. Replace the 80th minute with Remy Labeau (not).
+ Find the results and the classification of Ligue 1 on Maxifoot
And for you, who were the best and worst players of the match? Comment in the “comments” box below!
STRASBOURG 2-2 LENS (mid-time: 2-2) – FRANCE – Ligue 1 / 18th day
Stadium: Stade de la Meinau, Strasbourg – Referee: Francois Letexier, France
Goals : S. Prcic (13th) K. Gameiro (16th) for STRASBOURG – A. Claude Maurice (11th) L. Openda (33rd) for LENS
Warnings :
STRASBOURG :
LENS :
