PLAYER RATINGS | Strasbourg 3-1 Reims: Les Alsaciens almost guaranteed of Ligue 1 survival

Ligue 1 Uber Eats, Round 29, 13/04/24

RC Strasbourg Alsace earned a deserved win against European-chasing Stade de Reims (3-1). With just five games of the season remaining, Les Alsaciens are now 10 points above the relegation place and almost assured of playing Ligue 1 football next season.

Both sides began brightly, showing intent and also the ability to create spaces in the final third. It was Reims who took the lead thanks to Keito Nakamura, who latched onto an inch-perfect ball from compatriot Junya Ito to head past Alaa Bellaarouch. Having gone behind, Strasbourg showed a considerable response. It was one-way traffic with Les Alsaciens testing Yehvann Diouf. The Reims goalkeeper notably made a good stop from Habib Diarra, whilst Kevin Gamerio, in search of his 101st goal in Ligue 1, almost got on the scoresheet. 

Gameiro would get his goal and it came from the spot. Jérémy Sebas had only been on the pitch for a matter of moments when he earned a penalty, which was emphatically taken by Gameiro, who sent Diouf the wrong way. The momentum was with Les Alsaciens who were given a helping hand by Amadou Koné. The Malian midfielder made a dreadful substitute appearance, receiving two yellow cards within the space of just 30 minutes. Down to 10 men, it was always going to be an uphill task for Reims to get a result. 

And so it proved. Dilan Bakwa had the Reims defenders scrambling all game and from a set-piece, he found Abakar Sylla with a pin-point cross to give Strasbourg the lead. RCSA had the chance to extend their lead, and they would have done not for Diouf’s brilliant save from Lucas Perrin but the two goals were sufficient to secure three points that lift Patrick Vieira’s side into mid-table. Those relegation fears