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

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 have been definitively extinguished.

Strasbourg player ratings

Alaa Bellaarouch – 6

Abakar Sylla – 6

Lucas Perrin – 5

Saïdou Sow – 5

Thomas Delaine – 5

Ibrahima Sissoko – 5

Andrey Santos – 7

Santos is looking increasingly comfortable in this Strasbourg midfield. An accomplished ball-winner, he has proven to be metronomic & capable of stretching the opposition defence with runs in behind. There is talk of him staying another season at RCSA. That seems wise

Frédéric Guilbert – 6

Habib Diarra – N/A

Replaced through injury by Jeremy Sebas (5). The Martinique international made an immediate impact, learning a penalty just seconds after coming on after making a smart run and attracting contact inside the box. He also managed just 45 minutes before coming off with an injury.

Kevin Gameiro – 6

Dilane Bakwa – 8

The most eye-catching, but also efficient player on the pitch. He had the Reims defence scrambling all match and was not only Strasbourg’s main creative source but also one of the most diligent players out of possession, winning nine of his 15 duels. His sublime assist was a just reward for another brilliant performance. It was a hectic summer transfer window at RCSA but Bakwa has been the pick of the lot.

Reims player ratings

Yehvann Diouf – 7

Where would Reims have been without Diouf? The goalkeeper was brave in his goalkeeping in the first half, putting himself in dangerous situations in order to make the saves. His save from Perrin in the second half was spectacular. A brilliant individual performance that ultimately leads to nothing for Reims.

Thibault De Smet – 4

Yunis Abdelhamid – 5

Emmanuel Agbadou – 3

Thomas Foket – 4

Keito Nakamura – 6

Amir Richardson – 5

Valentin Atangana – N/A

Replaced early in the first half after suffering a muscular injury. His substitute, Amadou Koné, didn’t even last until half-time. The Malian midfielder received two logical yellow cards, leaving his side down to 10 men.

Junya Ito – 5

Reda Khadra – 3

Oumar Diakité – 4

GFFN | Luke Entwistle