“Both teams are going to want to take all three points so it’s going to be a good football match tomorrow. » Red Star attacking midfielder Damien Durand showed himself to be visionary at a press conference because this bottom-of-the-L2 match between the Seine-Saint-Denis club and Caen was spectacular, with the added bonus of three magnificent goals on the four registered.
And if the Red Star did not manage to return to victory after a month of drought (4 defeats and a draw) and it slipped to the play-off place (16th) for the first time this season, this share points against Stade Malherbe de Caen, of which Blues captain Kylian Mbappé became the majority shareholder this summer, may bring hope for the rest of the season.
While trailing 0-2, the Seine-Saint-Denis club did not give up and was rewarded with two splendid goals in the last 25 minutes from Hachem then Durand. This draw point may be worth a lot at the end of the season. Time will tell.
Despite the pressure of this important meeting, Red Star proved to be conquerors from the first minutes. An incursion followed by a center shot from Damien Durand forces the Caen goalkeeper to divert the ball for a corner (1st). On the following action, an attempt by the restless Durand was repelled by Mandrea (2nd). On their first foray into the Audon area, the Normans opened the scoring following a sublime volley from Lebreton into Beunardeau’s top corner (0-1, 11th). It’s a cold shower.
Ryad Hachem’s incredible stroke of genius
Despite possession of the ball, Grégory Poirier’s men struggle to create dangerous opportunities, often being clumsy in the last 20 meters against a very tight Caen block in 5-3-2. The entry at the break of Benali in place of Renel brings a little more dynamism offensively. A header from Kouagba is stopped by Mandrea (53rd) then Badji alone at the penalty point misses his shot (55th).
Caen turns his back before stinging a second time by Gomis after a caviar from Alexandre Mendy (0-2, 63rd). Red Star reacted immediately thanks to a personal exploit from Ryad Hachem. The versatile left-back achieves a breathtaking blind goal by controlling the ball with his chest before propelling the ball with the outside of his left foot into Mandrea’s top corner (1-2, 65th).
Mbock then misses the equalizer with a header brilliantly diverted by Mandrea (75th) but Durand does not miss the target by equalizing with a superb volley after a great collective action (2-2, 81st). Pushed by the public, the Audonians even came close to scoring a third goal through Benali (83rd) then Fall (88th). The match ended with a score of 2-2 which did not suit the two teams but which delighted the 4,600 spectators at the Bauer stadium. “I feel a positive feeling about the scenario,” declares coach Grégory Poirier. We saw a big match. This point from the draw is more than deserved even if over the whole match we deserved better. We scored some good goals. There is pride because we showed personality, there is also a soul in the team.
Match sheet
RED STAR – CAEN : 2-2 (0-1). Spectators: 4,600. Referee: M. Gailloiuste.
Buts. Red Star: Hachem (65th); Caen: Lebreton (11th), Gomis (63rd).
Warnings. Red Star : Durand (45e + 1) ; Caen : Henry (43e).
Red Star : Beunardeau – Durivaux (Escartin, 74e), Mendy, Kouagba (cap.), Hachem (El Hriti, 86e) – Eickmayer (Dembi, 74e) – Ifnaoui, Mbock, Renel (Benali, 46e), Durand – Badji (Fall, 61e). Rempl. : Bonet (g), Escartin, Fall, Dembi, El Hriti, Benali, Botella. Entr. : Poirier.
