14th in Ligue 2 after 16 days, Red Star left the relegation zone just before the break and took advantage of the poor form of more upscale teams. If they have to resolve some defensive problems, the Audonians are much better off than the other promoted team, Martigues, to survive in this championship.
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After five years of purgatory in National, here are the Audonians again. Unlike Martigues, the return of the Ile-de-France club to Ligue 2 was more than expected. With big resources and ambitions to match, Habib Beye's Red Star flew over the N1, finishing six points ahead, despite a final month of freewheeling competition. What to skip steps? Not really. Before celebrating the title, the Senegalese coach, who is already aiming for the Ligue 1 level, announces his wish not to continue the adventure, not convinced of achieving his objective by staying.
The ambitions of the RSFC are tempered by the setbacks of its owners, 777 Partners, caught up by American justice, went bankrupt in the fall. The club, since owned by A-Cap, creditor of 777, is for sale. The suitable buyer has not been found to date, despite approaches from Texan investors associated with Peguy Luyindula. In this transitional situation, the long-term objectives set by the ex-shareholder have taken a back seat. It is in the shoes of a promoted “like any other” that the club makes its reappearance in L2. Despite these unforeseen events, the Red Star passed the mid-season examination of the National Management Control Department (DNCG) without incident and will be able to strengthen this winter… Unlike Ajaccio or Martigues, rivals for maintenance.
A rising coach, experience on the ground
Unlike Martigues, Red Star has retained a greater part of its 2023-2024 backbone with players such as Benali, Durand, Eickmayer, Hachem, Ifnaoui and Kouagba, who have remained starters and efficient. The continuity allowed the team to maintain a certain dynamic and to glean two victories out of the three matches in August to get off to a good start. As for the recruits, they all knew Ligue 2 before arriving (Renel, Danger, Durivaux, Escartin, Badji, Mbock).
The freshest at this level is the coach, Grégory Poirier, who is taking his first steps as a coach in L2 (14 appearances as a player). At 42, he is a “coach on the rise”: two climbs in three years with Martigues and also climbs with Arles and Endoume a few years earlier in the lower divisions.
Promises and hard learning
The Red Star's first steps are exciting, with good offensive dispositions, particularly during the 3rd day, with a spectacular victory at Guingamp (4-3). Author of a double that day, center forward Aliou Badji ( ex-Amiens and Bordeaux) has not scored since. Worse, the defensive fragility of the promoted team will quickly take over: 0-3 defeat at home against Laval and an untenable Malik Sellouki. Same score against Troyes in November. With 28 goals conceded in 16 matches, only an off-topic FC Martigues has done worse (34). To make matters worse, Bradley Danger, who arrived from Rodez to be the boss of the rearguard, is kept in the infirmary by pubalgia.
Coach Poirier will take the opportunity to test other playing patterns, swapping the 3-4-3 at the start of the season for a 4-2-3-1. In this system, Red Star obtained three of its four clean sheets this season. However, defensive solidity should remain one of the priority areas this winter. Another injury, that of goalkeeper Quentin Beunardeau, forced the Audoniens to anticipate the work by loaning Robin Risser, very convincing for his first against Bastia.
The team of most used players
Beunardeau – Hachem, Kouagba, Escartin, F. Doucouré-Dembi, Renel – Durand, Ifnaoui, Benali – Badji
On the bench: Risser (g), Durivaux, Mbock, Eickmayer, Cissé, Mendy, Danger
Photo ©Philippe Lecoeur/FEP/Icon Sport
