Enjoy victory! The Meinau stadium sees double this Sunday afternoon with the confrontation between the two Ligue 1 Racing McDonald’s. Facing Strasbourg, the Sang et Or aim to secure their third victory of the season after being held to a draw in the last four meetings (4 draws) despite interesting performances.
For this 7th day, only the Lens rearguard is modified by coach Will Still in comparison to the eleven lined up against OGC Nice. Present at kick-off last weekend, defenders Jonathan Gradit and Deiver Machado, injured this week in training, gave way to Malang Sarr – first start this season in the league – as well as Venezuelan piston Jhoanner Chávez .
There was no need to arrive late at the Meinau stadium with M’Bala Nzola’s premature opening of the score on Lensoise’s first opportunity of the afternoon. After a very nice artesian combination on the right flank, Adrien Thomasson launches number 8 blood and gold into the depths. His dive attempt hits the post before crossing the line. Racing leads one goal to zero (0-1, 5′)!
Engaged in this first quarter of an hour, the Sang et Or exerted intense pressure putting the Strasbourg block to the test. Following a high recovery, Racing projects itself and, at the end of a well-executed collective action, Jhoanner Chávez’s cross is blocked (13′).
The Alsatians are trying to respond to Lens’ intensity through striker Emanuel Emegha. On a long restart, the RCSA number 10 tries to contest the ball in depth. Fortunately, captain Brice Samba intervened (15′).
The clear situations follow one another from one goal to the next and it is in rapid transition that Racing operates. Served in the area, M’Bala Nzola strikes on his left foot to find Andy Diouf on the edge of the area. The Lens midfielder’s shot was deflected by an opposing tackle (16′).
A few moments later, Racing conceded its third goal of the season, again from a set piece. Sebastien Nanasi’s corner found Abakar Sylla’s powerful header and Strasbourg equalized (1-1, 18′).
Despite the Alsatian achievement, the Sang et Or are in place in this meeting and manage to combine in the last thirty meters in Strasbourg. Found by Adrien Thomasson inside sixteen meters, attacker Wesley Said tries to eliminate Guela Doué but is hit by the opposing defender in his race. No penalty for RC Lens (23′).
It was then on a free kick that Will Still’s players proved dangerous. Alerted at the far post, Malang Sarr placed a header which flew towards the goal, but was finally deflected by the return of an opponent (24′).
Artesian offensive intentions are still evolving into dangerous situations. In the RCSA area, Adrien Thomasson header for Angelo Fulgini who crosses with first intention towards Wesley Saïd. The Artesian striker strikes while turning but stumbles on Ismaël Doukouré (29′).
Andy Diouf also stands out in the wake of this movement and plays two defenders before taking his chance with his left foot. It goes over the crossbar (33′).
Called upon again on the left side, Jhoanner Chávez sends a good cross towards M’Bala Nzola who rises higher than his direct opponent to pass towards Wesley Saïd, who fails to fire a shot (37′).
Racing is seeing its efforts bear fruit. With flair, Lens midfielder Andy Diouf scratches the ball from Ismaël Doukouré’s feet on the edge of the area before placing a cross shot between the legs of Dorde Petrovic. The RCL returns to the locker room with a lead (1-2, 45′).
Driven by good intentions at the end of a first act of character, the Sang et Or took the match from the right end by opening the score quickly. Joined at a standstill, they were rewarded with a goal before the break (1-2).
