After a clear defeat four days earlier, Grégory Poirier opted for a 4-4-2 system to start this match. The first few minutes were complicated: Clermont started better and found spaces in the middle. Baaloudj, with his back to goal, turned skillfully after taking the ball and eliminated Kouagba after another attack in the middle, he entered the area and crossed his shot at ground level. Beunardeau grazed the ball, but was unable to get it out of the frame (1-0, 10′). This goal still had the merit of pricking the Red Star players in their pride. They began to build from the back and appeared more comfortable from the end of the first quarter of an hour. Benali attempted an acrobatic return after a cross, but it lacked the power to worry Ndiaye (25′). The four attacking players from Audon – Ifnaoui, Benali, Anani and Cissé – were frequently found, but Red Star, despite a blocked shot from its number 10 (43′), returned to the locker room trailing.
The second half resumed at the same pace as the end of the first. The Red Star players gave the impression of being able to turn the situation around, and this was soon confirmed. Durand, who had come on a few minutes earlier, combined in the middle with Ifnaoui after a great exit. He overflowed and found his teammate for a double one-two over the whole of half the field. Ifnaoui crossed hard on the ground and Benali appeared at the far post to send the ball into the back of the net (1-1, 65′). Five minutes later, Konaté shot hard from the edge of the Audonian area. The ball crashed against the crossbar and landed at the feet of a Clermont player, but Beunardeau, then Escartin, threw themselves in front of him to prevent the Auvergnats from regaining the advantage (70′). The Red Star goalkeeper was then decisive in a one-on-one after a lightning counter-attack by the hosts, allowing his team to leave with a precious point from this perilous trip (84′).
Next meeting this Saturday at 2 p.m., with the derby against Paris FC!
Photo credit: @pswtpics
