Reims and Strasbourg, permanently invigorated?

There is better.

Respectively 4-0 winners in Montpellier and 3-0 in Brest last weekend, Reims (19th) and Strasbourg (18th) seem to have finally launched their season before facing each other on Sunday in Ligue 1 (3 p.m.).

But can this rebound be sustainable?

Reims found but still diminished

The Stade de Reims took a long time to regain victory: to its joy at having found Europe for the first time in 57 years, the Reims club missed its start to the season, missing the qualification for the group stage of the Europa League and going on 7 days without a win in L1.

But the Montpellier, quickly led and reduced to ten, put the Rémois back in the saddle: the latter approached the match seriously, regaining the qualities that made their strength last season.

“We were impatiently awaiting this victory,” explained David Guion at a press conference.

In addition to the efficiency that has eluded us since the start of the season, the victory was acquired with values ​​to which I am very attached. "

Deprived of seven players at La Mosson, the Champagne team will again be handicapped by absences on Sunday.

“Because of the injuries and the Covid, I was not able to field the same team twice in a row, regrets the Reims coach.

These stability issues have led to our irregularity since the start of the season.

But everyone has had time to play and everyone must take their chance.

Through this difficult time, I want boys to reveal themselves. ”

The team will therefore be changed again against the Alsatians, a meeting that could allow Reims to abandon this 19th place.

“We had a good match against Montpellier but that's only one victory in 8 days, tempers midfielder Mathieu Cafaro.

We must confirm against Strasbourg.

It's a very important game that can allow us to switch to the good side. ”

The task will not be easy.

David Guion is wary of this Strasbourg team.

“Strasbourg is a very athletic team with a lot of good players.

His preparation was very disturbed by the Covid but it was reinforced with two great players (Habib Diallo and Majeed Waris).

It's a group that will end up in the top 8, ”he says.

Strasbourg pumped up with Diallo

Racing, which travels to Champagne without its trainer Thierry Laurey and his assistant Fabien Lefèvre, tested positive for Covid-19, wants to believe in a lasting rebound.

"We lacked a benchmark match, we found it in Brest," defender Alexander Djiku commented to AFP.

"We had to take a step forward and now we must do everything to make it sustainable."

We must believe that the union speech after Lyon (2-3), the sixth defeat in seven matches, paid off.

No doubt Laurey, in isolation since Wednesday evening, had been marked by the hostile banner of supporters until then always positive: "The deception has lasted long enough, become warriors."

Words that upset some players, but that Laurey had immediately defused in the post-match conference.

"We are aware that we must create something to bring the public behind us," he said.

In Brittany, a man may also have changed everything: Habib Diallo.

The Senegalese striker, bought for 10 million euros from FC Metz on the last day of the transfer window, showed the way with a plunging header in the first period.

Already his second goal in two matches.

Against OL, he reduced the score (1-3) just six minutes after coming into play. "He brought us something straight away, it's really a new solution to our problems," Laurey judge.

"A bit on the brink" according to Djiku, the RCSA seems to have regained some efficiency with 5 goals in two matches.

The arrival of Diallo "brings a lot of freshness", insists the Strasbourg defender.

“We needed a player who revolves around Ludo (Ajorque) who was a bit lonely.

I think they will get along well, ”he concludes.

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