| Referee : M. Auvinet, assistants M. Pétain (unfortunate name) & M. Dissain - attendance : 400. Goals : Van Kets (12), – Djukanovic (27), Zaaboub (37) Bookings : A. Gomis (28), Castro (67) – D'Amore (30), Colacicco (32), Djukanovic (33) Sent off : Lalisse (66) |
This was a poor showing. On a freezing cold night (3 degrees !) Red Star were effectively killed off by an apalling refereeing decision and by apathy.
Three corners in the first five minutes, including two for the home side gave hopes of a bright attacking game, and indeed Red Star took the lead on twelfth minute after some promising play. With Racings' defence at sea, a deep cross found VAN KETS alone on the near post, and his firm downward header was helped over his own line by Racings' goalkeeper Margueritte. (1-0). After the goal, Racing pressed hard, and Branger was forced into making a finger tip save as a goal seemed likely. But, Red Star couldn't hold out, and minutes later Racing drew level thanks to a shocking piece of refereeing. Yes, there was a foul by Saxemard, but the offence occurred well outside the penalty area. Despite Red Stars' protests, M. Auvinent, the "banker" we referred to in our news report, pointed to the penalty spot and Djukanovic made no mistake with his shot (1-1). Ten minutes later and some woeful defending left two strikes facing Branger, and Zaaboub drilled the ball home. (1-2).
As temperatures dropped, so did the standard of football. Not even the dismissal of Racings' Lalisse with half an hour remaining could help them. With Van Kets off the field injured, Castro and Saci made little or no impression on a solid wall of light blue. Rangdet never even touched the ball, let alone posed any threat whilst Serreau looked unusually out of touch.
From the stands, Red Stars' deficiency was plain to see. The defence, despite being breached twice generally was underworked, and Fabrice Richard did have a reasonable game. Passing not too brilliant, but no worse than those around him.
No, tonight, Red Stars' main problem was in midfield. With a good midfield, in general it can be said that the defences' task is lightened, and also the attack receives good service. Saragaglia was terrible, and Aïchour is not of a high enough standard yet. These two positions are key ones, and it was obvious tonight that the current incumbents are just not good enough. Here's hoping that the arrival of Hutteau (see news) can turn things around.