2023-11-06 22:28:55
At the final whistle, the Red Star staff and players can congratulate each other. In the rain of Niort and on difficult terrain, they went through all the states. But this point reported during this shock which kept all its promises will certainly count for the future. Undefeated for ten games now (8 wins, 2 draws), Red Star leaves its pursuers, Niort and Rouen, seven points behind. A gap which still leaves him with several jokers.
Habib Beye’s team, which deprived of many defenders had modified its system (defense with 4 instead of the usual 3), was moved from the outset by Niort in search of rehabilitation after its shipwreck in Orléans (4- 2) and its elimination in the Coupe de France in Bayonne (N3).
After Elphege’s header (7th) just wide, Beunardeau’s save on a strike from Inchaud (12th), the opening score from a corner by Ecuele Manga, the very experienced former central defender of Lorient now aged 35 years old, seemed most logical (1-0, 24th). Just before, Ndoye, still positioned as a center forward, had not pressed his head enough in front of Delacroix (23rd). If Ifnaoui then found the crossbar (37th), the Red Star really suffered in the first period.
But the leader showed that beyond his talents and his collective, he also had great mental resources by letting the storm pass. He got back perfectly in the direction of travel from the restart, playing much higher. The changes made by Beye with the return of Durand and Anani proved decisive. If Durand once again finds the uprights with a good shot (67th), Anani takes advantage of a lost ball in the area to equalize (1-1, 69th). In failure last season (only 1 goal), the former Grenoble striker scored his 3rd goal since the start of the championship. He also scored last Sunday in the Coupe de France at Espérance Aulnaysienne (3-1).
But after this equalization, the Red Star nevertheless slowed down. It was Niort who finished the strongest and who could have snatched victory with a shot from Inchaud on the post (73rd) then a shot from Tormin well deflected by Beunardeau (90th + 2). It’s just a point but it’s a new step towards a rise in L2 for Red Star.
Match sheet
NIORT – RED STAR : 1-1 (1-0).
Goals. Niort: Ecuele Manga (24th), Red Star: Anani (69th)..
Red Star: Beunardeau (Durand, 63rd), Benali (Ikanga, 89th), Ndoye (cap.) (Anani, 62nd). Entr. : Beye.
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