RED STAR 0 COSMO ERMONT-TAVERNY 1
(Friendly)
Stade Bauer, 06/08/2003
In fairness to Red Star and their coach Azzedine Meguellatti, the scoreline of last nights' friendly hardly reflects the balance of the game. Red Star were far more creative, industrious and positive than their opponents. The goal, a penalty on twleve minutes scored by the only Cosmo player of any interest, the ex-Racing and Reims man Akoun was the difference between two DH outfits of differing footballing schools. Red Star did an Eriksson and changed virtually all the team for the second period, the only survivor being the excellent Bilhal Hammami. The players who had played at a higher level stood out - Akoun for Cosmo, Hammami, Carles, Delaneuville among others for Red Star. The new boys were there too - Azzedine Benmesmoudi showed some excellent touches from midfield, and Ryad Fellahi echoed his more famous brother Karim. Up front, however, it was the usual woe for Red Star. Midfield carved out a wonderful scoring opportunity for Fissirou, who in his usual one-against-one style meekly tapped the ball to the visitors' goalie. Perhaps not the answer to Red Stars' attacking problems. Time and time again Red Star put together some excellent midfield and approach work, ony for the final pass to be wayward, or for some poor finishing.
After the break, a new set of players emerged, many new faces. Fréd Néret took his place between the sticks and looked confident, albeit having virtually nothing to do for forty five minutes. Jeremy Budoc, an early doors captain last season before falling out of favour impressed, Phil Marques ran round a lot, and a new face, name yet unknown could have easily drawn the sides level, shooting narrowly over the bar.
Still early days yet, a long way to go, but already some positive signs as well as some issues to address - the lack of a decent finisher being the most preoccupant.
MORE PHOTOS
A decent turn out despite being in the middle of the holiday period; Vince Fourneuf leaves a Cosmo striker on the deck; Goalkeeper Laurent Delmas tests Red Stars' other goalie Frédéric Néret; Drinks time.
© AllezRedStar.com 2003