Entering a new era in Strasbourg
Julien Stéphan’s proteges finished sixth in Ligue 1 Uber Eats, narrowly missing out on Europe last season. This time around, however, they’ve been in the relegation spots from the start and can’t seem to get out.
Despite an almost identical team, the results plummeted.
“Unfortunately things are going against us,” striker Kévin Gameiro told Ligue 1 on beIN SPORTS. “We can’t avoid injuries, red cards. Now we have to pick ourselves up, keep working and not give up.
“We’re unlucky, we don’t get breaks, but it’s up to us to turn our luck around.”
Ajoque sidelined
Last season’s 12-goal top scorer, Ludovic Ajorque, was sidelined for much of the campaign due to breathing difficulties, and now he’s back and struggling to regain his best form – much like the centre-back Alexander Djiku.
Ajorque was not the only one to be sidelined and the wave of injuries hit Racing difficult.
“They don’t lower their heads, they are good guys, they continue to fight,” insisted Stéphan, sacked on Monday. “We haven’t always been great, it’s true, but do we look like a team that gave up? No way.
“We don’t give our opponents anything. We give up, but we just lack that bit of confidence – or that luck – you need to get things done.
Injury issues
Stephan can consider himself unfortunate to have suffered up to 12 injuries this season, which has prevented him from finding continuity in his starting XI. Some players were forced to play out of position.
Another problem has been the poor form of midfielders Adrien Thomasson and Sanjin Prcic, who were so exceptional last season. The first now leaves for RC Lens, which he held to a 2-2 draw on Wednesday.
Watch: Highlights of Strasbourg’s 2-2 draw against Lens
The Strasbourg attackers had also failed, and it is easy to understand that they did not win a match before the 10th day, beating Angers SCO 3-2.
Ship stabilized?
Stephan fielded his team with a back four and a back five with wingers this season, but the 1979 French champions simply couldn’t step up a gear.
“We changed tactics in the last two games,” admitted Stéphan. “We worked on it during the break. What I didn’t expect, however, was six or seven players missing. I didn’t think things would go so badly.”
Mathieu Le Scornet was in charge of the interim while Strasbourg held the top flight Blood and Gold to that 2-2 draw on Wednesday – a game they had led – and there are sprouts of promise ahead of Saturday’s meeting with Olympique Lyonnais.