It's an anomaly in Red Star's magnificent season.
Irresistible in his Bauer stadium (11 wins, 1 draw), the leader who goes this Monday evening (9 p.m.) to Villefranche, currently first in relegation, experiences much more difficulty on the road.
Since his victory on October 2 at Châteauroux (2-1), he has not won away from home, seven matches (2 defeats, 5 draws), or five and a half months.
“It’s true that it’s a bit paradoxical,” recognizes Habib Beye.
But at the same time, we rarely lose, it proves that this team is consistent.
Away, we also play teams who have momentum and there is pressure on us as we are the leader.
As I told my parent company (Canal +), they are very kind to broadcast Red Star outside because they do not come to your home.
But in terms of schedule, it's something to deal with playing on Monday.
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Since their draw against Châteauroux on March 8 (0-0), Red Star has had nine days to prepare for this trip to Villefranche.
Meanwhile, his pursuers still left points on the way, Niort in Dijon (3-1) last Monday and Martigues in Le Mans (2-0) this Friday.
The leader therefore still has the opportunity to increase the gap (4 points ahead of Niort, 8 over Martigues).
“When we play matches on Monday and Friday, we can only play and recover,” Beye continues.
We cannot work tactically.
But this group needs to work tactically because it has a well-identified game plan.
This team has the right to be average from time to time.
We are ahead because we managed to produce a quality game.
But we have no margin in this championship.
We are not above others.
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TRAINING DAY 🔥
The last touches of the ball from our Audoniens before the trip to Caladoise.
#AllezRedStarFC 💚💪 pic.twitter.com/tYuxUsbZbb
— Red Star FC ✪ (@RedStarFC) March 17, 2024
For two weeks, Beye has been working without his first assistant, Sébastien Bichard, who left for Clermont (L1).
It has not been replaced.
“We are sufficiently armed and structured in the staff to compensate for his departure,” explains the Red Star coach.
Seeing him in L1 today like Pierre Sage in Lyon is a source of pride which shows the great strength of the club and the staff.
When Sébastien came to see me, I could have only seen my personal interest.
But I wouldn't have been able to look at myself in the mirror if I had prevented him from having this experience in L1 which will change his life.
I told my president:
we must let him experience this opportunity which cannot be refused.
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For this match in Villefranche, Italian central defender Paolo Gozzi is suspended and Aniss El Hriti was not selected.
Jovany Ikanga returns to the group.
In care, the 2nd goalkeeper William Avognan is replaced by Pépé Bonnet.