Ajorque takes Strasbourg fourth
THE GAME
Four draws and just one win in their last five games had dampened Strasbourg’s momentum, but they entered the game knowing that – following Nice and Rennes’ draw 24 hours earlier – they could make up for a part of this lost ground.
Lens had only lost one of their previous six goals and might have scored the first if Seko Fofana had placed his shot either side of Matz Sels instead of shooting straight at the Belgian international goalkeeper (22nd ).
Kevin Gameiro’s finesse around the box posed many problems for Lens. He dethroned Jean-Ricner Bellegarde on a shot (34th) before Frédéric Guilbert deprived Facundo Medina of the ball to see Jean-Louis Leca kick his shot (40th).
Gameiro himself would have had the chance to score had it not been for Jonathan Gradit who took over Dimitri Lienard’s cross before him (49′); David Pereira Da Costa should have done better on the opposite side than volleying over the crossbar after being found by Przemyslaw Frankowski (51st).
Fofana tested Sels (59) again before Strasbourg made the breakthrough – Guilbert’s cross ricocheted off Frankowski’s hand, and after referee François Letexier pointed the spot, Ajorque netted his 11th goal in championship of the campaign despite Leca going in the right direction (66 ‘).
The Lensois goalkeeper then brought down Ajorque after the slender striker was picked up in the box by Gameiro – this time, the former French international striker showed up to take the penalty, but saw Leca blocking with his foot (71st ).
Guilbert could have made the finish more comfortable for the locals, but sent his well-placed header (82nd). The Alsatians, however, held on to record a fourth clean sheet and edge ahead of Nice on goal difference and within two points of third-placed Rennes.
THE PLAYER: Kevin Gameiro
The former Paris Saint-Germain, Valencia and Sevilla striker was his usual mischievous, providing inventive solutions for his teammates. He’s going to kick himself, he didn’t catch a goal with the missed penalty.
THE STAT: 8
Strasbourg’s last eight league goals have been scored by eight different players: Majeed Waris, Dimitri Liénard, Kevin Gameiro, Habib Diallo, Lucas Perrin, Jean-Ricner Bellegarde, Alexander Djiku and Ludovic Ajorque.
>> MATCH REPORT: Nice & Rennes share the spoils