A good point. After its setback in Lorient (2-1) 11 days ago and then the slap suffered against Laval (0-3) at the Bauer stadium on Friday, Red Star knew how to react this Tuesday evening to avoid a 3rd defeat in a row in Clermont. The club from Seine-Saint-Denis went for the draw (1-1) on the 6th day at the relegated L1 team coached by Sébastien Bichard, Habib Beye’s assistant at Red Star last season.
Despite a difficult start and a full infirmary (Badji, Danger, Meyapya, R. Doucouré, Eickmayer, F. Doucouré) not to mention the suspended Mbock, the Audoniens showed character to come back into the game in the second half. Enough to approach the Paris derby against Paris FC this Saturday (2:30 p.m.) at the Bauer stadium with more confidence.
Like the 2nd period against Laval, coach Grégory Poirier had chosen to start with a tactical plan with 4 defenders instead of 3 under the management of Habib Beye. Ten minutes later, the Audoniens were already behind on the scoreboard following a personal exploit by former Versaillais Mehdi Baaloudj. Arriving this summer in Clermont, the striker eliminated a defender before deceiving Beunardeau with a shot at the post (1-0).
Benali equalizes
Red Star reacted timidly with attempts by Anani (27th) and Benali (30th) and Escartin (33rd) without danger for the locals. After the break, the match settled into a false rhythm. On its first opportunity, Red Star equalized following a great chance initiated by Durand then Ifnaoui and concluded from close range by Benali (1-1, 65th). Clermont reacted immediately with a long-range shot from Konaté on Beunardeau’s bar. The ball came back to Baaloudj who ran into the Audonian goalkeeper twice then Escartin (69th). The match finally got going. Well served by Hachem, Fall narrowly missed scoring a second goal for the Audonians. Then Quentin Beunardeau saved his team by managing to win his duel in front of Diop (80th). Red Star can enjoy this draw even if they drop back to 14th place. They now have a 4-point lead over the red zone.
“We had a good second half even though we had one or two hot situations,” said Grégory Poirier. “In the end, it was deserved to come back into the game in terms of ball use. I am also very satisfied with our pride after the 3-0 defeat. We will try to recover well to give the best of ourselves on Saturday in the derby against Paris FC.”
The match sheet
CLERMONT – RED STAR : 1-1 (1-0). Spectators: 6000. Referee: Mr. Taleb.
Buts. Clermont : Baaloudj (10e) ; Red Star : Benali (65e).
Warnings. Clermont: Konaté (20th), Ackra (82nd); Red Star: K. Cissé (30th).
Red Star : Beunardeau – Durivaux, Escartin, Kouagba (cap.), Hachem – Ifnaoui (Botella, 90th), Dembi, Renel (El Hriti, 87th), K. Cissé (Durand, 58th) – Anani (Fall, 58th) Benali. Enter. : Poirier.
