Race to Ligue 2 | Habib Beye says Red Star are “on the hunt” for promotion following Versailles win | OneFootball

Red Star FC’s 3-0 win over Versailles in a crucial Paris region derby match has given Les Audoniens reason to dream of promotion to Ligue 2 with only three games left to play. Attacker Hacène Benali got on the scoresheet in the 20th minute, followed up by two quick-fire injury time goals through substitutes Issouf Macalou and Kemo Cissé.

Manager Habib Beye spoke to Get French Football News sub-editor George Boxall following crucial the game at the Stade Michel Hidalgo in Northern Paris. Beye firstly spoke of his satisfaction at seeing Red Star win against a direct promotion rival.

He cited the difficulties of dealing with two losses against Dunkerque (0-1) and Concarneau (1-4) and subsequently bouncing back with wins against Nancy (1-4), Bastia Borgo (1-0) and Versailles (0-3) to spring his side back into the promotion conversation.

The current Canal+ pundit explained that “All these moments were formative moments for us. When you lose against Dunkerque and concede four against Concarneau, people started to say we have to congratulate Concarneau for their promotion. There are even people who have told me ‘It’s finished for Red Star’ for the season.”

Beye went on to express his unyielding commitment to the team’s success, saying “In my mind I won’t stop working until I’m literally dead and buried, until I hear the bleep of the life support machine.”

Looking ahead to the end of the season, Red Star are now within two points of the top two in Concarneau and Martigues. “Now whatever happens will happen in the last three matches, but what I said to the guys is that we are on the hunt, and the hunt has opened up. We’ll see on 26th May (the final day in the third tier)” Beye exclaimed.

When asked if it would be pertinent that Red Star could be promoted on the 30th anniversary of his former side Marseille’s famous Champions League win, the former defender said “I don’t want to betray a secret. But there are signs like that, an alignment of the stars,” with a wry smile.

Beye acknowledged that his team has struggled in results against teams fighting to avoid relegation, which is the case for their upcoming match against Cholet at Bauer. L’Étoile Rouge will then face a tough away game against Chateauroux, who possess a strong squad capable of competing for promotion.

In their final match of the season, Red Star FC will face Saint-Brieuc, who will also be fighting to avoid relegation. Beye stressed that this match will not be easy, and could “even be harder” than their recent win against Versailles. “I just hope at the end of this process the players get what they deserve. But again, we’ll see on 26th May.”

Photo Credit: Bazil Fleury – @icietailleurs55 on Instagram.

GFFN | George Boxall