Attendance 200, referee : M. Sergeant, assistants M. Delépine & M. Meunier.
Bookings : Pendola (13), Le Pape (25), Busuttil (90) – Milherre (11), Bourdache (38).
Goals : A. Gomis (33, 62)
RED STAR 93 : Bruneau, Pendola, Le Pape (F. Mary 35), Guidali, Perron, Guérin, Saïti, Busuttil, Dagnogo, A. Gomis (Sarambounou 82), NGoma. Sub : Gomes-Varela. Coach : J.L. Girard
LES LILAS : Magniez, Huet, Milherre, Sissoko (Saada 63), Buissart, Bourdache, Mahdjoub, Nemouthé, Diawara, Dembele (Etienne 42), Hamdani (Zaïdi 14). Coach : B. Cotton
THAT'S MORE LIKE IT
For once Red Star win a derby game, and deserve the win too. It might have been different had Les Lilas actually converted their early chances. Despite an attempted lob by Loïc Le Pape, the first real occasions fell to the visitors. Fabrice Bruneau, as classy as ever between the sticks had to be on his guard to keep out shots from Salah Mahdjoub. The real turning point came after just a quarter of an hours' play, when Les Lilas' lively number ten Hamdani was forced to leave the game early injured. The source of many of their attacks, the visitors then were effectively deprived of imagination going forwards.
Just after the half hour mark, Pendola threaded a pass through to Arthur GOMIS, and his strength and forcefulness took him past the defenders and he fired a clean shot past Magniez. This inspired the reds, Guérin sent Saïti on a run down the flank, before a pinpoint cross from Pendola found the head of Moussa Dagnogo but the ball flew just over the bar.
After the break Les Lilas had a great chance to draw level, but Mahdjoub rattled the crossbar - perhaps the fingertips of Bruneau just deviated the ball slightly. Just after, a long ball from Franck Busuttil sent Arthur GOMIS through once again, and from the edge of the box he fired another goal past Magniez. Perhaps the end of the game.
So, one of the best performances of the season so far, and one from which encouragement can be drawn. Overall, a courageous and confident display, and some fine individual performances as well. In defence Perron and Guidali formed a solid wall, rarely threatened. Kalu N'Goma had a fine game in midfield, alongside Pendola and the visionary Guérin, finally finding his feet in the CFA.
© AllezRedStar.com 2001