the essential
After a three-week break, Raf returned to competition with a lackluster and lackluster performance on Friday against Red Star (0-2).
It wasn’t really the return we hoped for. After a three-week break, Rodez returned to competition by being dominated on home soil by Red Star (0-2) on Friday. The Ruthenois ended their first leg with a disappointing performance, weak in terms of play and punctuated by fatal errors. “We were average in a lot of areas”lamented coach Didier Santini. His players were logically punished by a result which put them back in the standings. And which puts an end to several positive series: the blood and gold were undefeated for nine matches in Ligue 2 and also remained in 15 home matches with at least one goal scored.
Beyond these figures, the disappointment is mainly born from too low a performance. Facing the promoted Paris region, the Aveyronnais did not manage to regain the offensive momentum which has long been their strong point in recent months. “We wanted to keep the ball at our feet too muchnoted the coach. When we started to play forward, more vertically, we put them in difficulty. But it was too late.” If Raf’s situation is far from worrying, this match nevertheless highlights some negative signals, because it comes after less successful performances, notably the draw at Clermont (1-1) just before the break. Which suggests that the Ruthenians need to regain their momentum. “We’re not going to forget what we did beforepositive Didier Santini. We have to work, move forward. Maybe we had a lack of concentration and rigor.”
The return of Timothé Nkada could do good
They also had to deal without their major offensive asset. Timothé Nkada, absent during the two league matches in December, made his return to competition against Red Star by entering the second half. Even if his appearance wasn’t enough to flip the script, it served as a reminder that life is simpler with him than without.
But the offensive threat cannot be reduced to the presence of a single man and Rodez would be well inspired to rediscover the collective strike force that was his during the autumn to continue to delight his audience and move away from the red zone.
According to Didier Santini, his team is capable of much better. “I think 20 points is not enoughhe estimated when asked about the results of the first phase. We lost a lot of points along the way, always a little due to lack of experience. You have to work hard, this team has talent.” It’s up to the Ruthenois to ensure that he speaks during the next meeting, again at home, Friday against Troyes.
Morocco
