Before finding AS Saint-Etienne for a crucial match in the fight for maintenance in Ligue 1, the Stade de Reims moved to the Allianz Riviera to challenge the OGC Nice this Friday evening. A challenge match for Rémois still under the threat of the red zone and determined to approach the final sprint with confidence.
The 32nd day of Ligue 1 opened with a poster scrutive closely by all ASSE supporters. Because before receiving the Greens the following week in Auguste-Delaune, the Stade de Reims was first to negotiate a perilous trip to a Nice training always ambitious in the race for Europe.
If the Rémois knew each other, in particular by their direct competitors like Nantes, Le Havre, Angers or Saint-Etienne, they were keen to reassure themselves and take precious points with a view to maintenance. Coach Samba Diawara had bet on rigor and solidity to contain the offensives of the Aiglons.
A match under tension before finding ASSE
At the Allianz Riviera, the Rémois tried to display more consistency than during their last outing, where doubt had too often taken over on enthusiasm. With elements like Keito Nakamura, the Reims stadium had offensive assets to try to make a difference against the Niçois.
A decisive meeting for the race for maintenance in Ligue 1
This match in Nice therefore represented much more than a simple championship meeting for the Rémois. It was a dress rehearsal before the upcoming shock against AS Saint-Etienne, where the Greens could play big in the quest for maintenance.
The result of this duel on the French Riviera will no doubt condition the state of mind with which the Rémois will approach the reception of the Greens in Delaune. A victory would have made them in better psychological arrangements, while a reverse would have strengthened the pressure on their shoulders.
Conversely, the Stéphanois will have observed this match carefully, they who will move to Champagne with the aim of going to seek essential points in the fight for 15th place, synonymous with direct maintenance.
Nice won 1-0 against Reims during the 32nd day of Ligue 1 thanks to an early goal from Morgan Sanson in the 15th minute. Solid defensively, the Aiglons were able to contain the reims for a more marked pressure in the second period. Reims has made several changes to try to return to the score, but the Nice defense remained compact. The match ended after eight minutes of additional time, without the scoring evolving. An important victory for Nice in the race for Europe, while Reims leaves pointed out despite a correct performance.
Note the injury of the young winger Martial Tia. The Rémois will receive ASSE before moving to Lille at the end of the championship. They temporarily remain 6 points from ASSE.
