Emmanuel LANGELLIER, Media365: published on Monday September 30, 2024 at 7:48 p.m.
After 6 days of the Championship, Reims occupies a surprising 4th place in the rankings. How to explain it?
Here we are at the end of September 2024 and soon in October, already. After 6 days of Ligue 1, the podium is not so surprising. Three “big guys” settle on the first three steps, almost all undefeated. Behind Paris-SG, leader with 16 points along with AS Monaco, Olympique de Marseille (13 pts) has just conceded its first setback to Strasbourg (0-1), Sunday evening. And then, who do we find in 4th place? A surprising “little” one that we didn’t expect at all at such a party. Like Brest, 3rd final last season and in the Champions League this season, Reims (11 pts) has had an inspired start so far.
The Elsner effect, which did not revolutionize anything
Beaten only by Lille (0-2) on the first day, Stade de Reims has since had a string of 3 wins and 2 draws. And not against just anyone. The Champagne team hung OM at the Orange Vélodrome (2-2) at the end of August and, a month later, it neutralized Paris-SG itself at the Stade Raymond-Kopa (1-1), the the only time the capital’s armada did not win. She also dominated Rennes (2-1) and won two victories away from home (2-1 in Nantes and 3-1 in Angers). All this is the fruit of the excellent work of the Champagne players but also above all of the coach Luka Elsner. Since his arrival this summer from Le Havre, the Slovenian has allowed Reims to shine.
“It gives us the tranquility and perspective that we lacked last season,” notes Yehvann Diouf, the Champagne goalkeeper. In Reims, we never give in to panic, even when faced with a tough schedule. “Even when we have matches that are less good in terms of content, like in Nantes, we earn points precisely because we don’t panic,” says Diouf. “We took a big step forward in the use of space, we struggled in all the transitions and we were also very solid defensively”, rejoiced, in Angers, Elsner who did not revolutionize anything afterwards the departure of Will Still, but who simply brought his “touch” and his tactical attention to detail. Montpellier, the next opponent struggling this season (16th), can prepare to tremble.
