Match preview: Brentford v RC Strasbourg Alsace – News
We are ending our one-week internship in Germany with a match against RC Strasbourg Alsace tomorrow afternoon (kick-off at 1:30 p.m. local time).
The test against the Ligue 1 side is our third of the pre-season, following Saturday’s game against VfB Stuttgart.
THE OPPOSITION
Founded in 1906 in what was then German territory, Strasbourg began life as Erster Fußball Club Neudorf. After the First World War and the return of Alsace-Lorraine to France, the club adopted the name of Racing Club de Strasbourg in 1919 and began to compete in the French Championships.
RC Strasbourg Alsace have plenty to be positive about after a turbulent decade that brought them to the brink.
Last season’s sixth-place finish in Ligue 1, their best result since 1980, came a decade after they were liquidated and relegated to France’s fifth tier. Racing Club de Strasbourg, as it was known then, ceased to exist, being replaced instead by its current name of RC Strasbourg Alsace.
This is the low point for a club which is one of only six to have won the three major French national titles: the Championship (1979), the Coupe de France (1951, 1966 and 2001) and the Coupe de la Ligue. (1964, 1997, 2005 and 2019).
The RCSA’s rise from fifth tier to Ligue 1 took just five years and they have since sought to re-establish themselves among the French top flight.
Julien Stephan’s squad contains names that will be familiar to Brentford fans. Matz Sels (Newcastle United) and Maxime Le Marchand (Fulham) both spent spells in England while Kevin Gameiro and Lebo Mothiba enjoyed successful domestic and international careers.
TEAM NEWS
Aaron Hickey made his first appearance for Brentford on Saturday against VfB Stuttgart while Keane Lewis-Potter and Thomas Strakosha could make their first outings tomorrow. Otherwise, it will be the same team as Saturday’s match at the Zeppelinstadion Friedrichshafen.
THE DIRECTOR
Julien Stéphan, 41, is quickly making a name for himself in French football.
After a short career in the French lower leagues, Stéphan’s first role came with his hometown club Rennes B.
When Sabri Lamouchi was sacked as Rennes coach in December 2018, Stéphan was initially given an interim coaching role. A string of victories followed, including one over Astana in the UEFA Europa League that took Rennes to their first-ever European knockout round, and Stephan was given the permanent job.
Stéphan led Rennes to their first trophy in 48 years by winning the 2019 Coupe de France, beating Paris Saint-Germain 6–5 in a penalty shootout in the final after drawing 2–2.
The following season, he finished third in Ligue 1, guaranteeing Rennes their first-ever qualification for the Champions League. Resigning in March 2021, Stéphan took over at RCSA the following summer, having a great first season in Alsace.
TICKET AND TRAVEL INFORMATION
Stadium address: SV Aasen, Ob. Wiesen, 78166 Donaueschingen
Tomorrow’s match will be played at the home of SV Aasen, on the outskirts of Donaueschingen.
The stadium is about a ten-minute drive northwest of the city, across the B33 on Pfohrener Strasse K5756.
After crossing the main road, turn left onto Ostbaarstraße/K5701, follow it for 2.5 km, past the stadium on your left, then take the first left and left again to find the stadium.
There is no entry fee for the game.