“I want to build a good defending team, not a defensive team. Admittedly, David Guion's Reims currently occupies the top rank of European defenses with 13 goals conceded in 20 games. But the Reims coach refutes the label of "all defense". "I was a defender, I attach importance to it but it is part of the game project," he said. I cannot imagine a team that is not organized. In my opinion, one can not let go, be completely liberated only at this price. This is all the more true for us, who have only discovered the high level for the past eighteen months. "
Champion of Ligue 2 in 2018, Reims is only entering its second season in L1. “Everything started from the observation that, during his previous passage in L1, Reims was among the weakest defenses, poses Guion while his team had been relegated in 2016 with 57 goals conceded. It couldn't last. We worked a lot when I took over the team and in two and a half years, it has become a bit of our DNA. In the first year, we finished L2's best defense with 24 goals, while scoring 74 goals. "
The coach imported his principles into L1. “I wanted to continue despite the changes in defense, since each year, two or even three elements leave us behind or in goal. The first year was Romain Métanire in January. Last year, it was Bjorn Engels and Edouard Mendy (now goalkeeper of Rennes), plus Konan absent six months. "
"Four attackers during 83% of playing time"
Obviously, it works. Promoted and astonishing eighth in L1 last year, Reims finished tied for fifth defense (42 goals conceded). His break times are even better this year, with thirteen goals conceded after twenty days, against nineteen last season. The Champenois also win: at the Vélodrome (2-0), at the Parc des Princes (2-0), at Roazhon Park (1-0), ahead of Lille (2-0), Saint-Etienne (3-1) or Montpellier (1-0).
"The coach rests on a solid base," explains Xavier Chavalerin, an axial defensive midfielder. In fact, the eleven players defend, so there isn't much room for the opponent. This is what allegedly average clubs need to get L1 results. There are four defenders and two recovery midfielders. But in defense, our 10, just in front of us, takes the opposing 6. The eccentric media are likely to tighten in the axis. The attackers must move across the full width of the central defenders. And I forgot the guardian… "
Guion, meanwhile, wants to be able to switch very quickly. “When we have the ball, I want the eleven to be concerned with the offensive aspect. This season, we have kept four attackers for 83% of the time, knowing that we are playing in 4-2-3-1. We approach each match to score one more goal than the opponent. "Against the big teams, it's automatic," concludes Chavalerin. We rely even more on our defensive base and we are ten times more concentrated because of the individual talents opposite. Paris has already paid to see in the first leg of the Championship (0-2).