A match that smelled good of Europe. In a warm atmosphere at the Stade de la Meinau despite the early hour, Strasbourg defeated Lens (1-0) after a penalty converted by Ludovic Ajorque (66th), Sunday April 3 during the 30th day of Ligue 1. A victory that allows Julien Stéphan’s players to recover fourth place at the expense of Nice, hooked on Saturday by Rennes, thanks to a better goal difference. The Alsatians are also within two points of the Bretons, runners-up to PSG before OM’s trip to Saint-Etienne on Sunday afternoon.
IT’S FINISH !
New success, new clean sheet and 51 points on the clock!!
A PERFECT SUNDAY! #RCSARCL (1-0) pic.twitter.com/EOH1EABdr0
— Racing Club de Strasbourg Alsace (@RCSA) April 3, 2022
At home, the Strasbourg, who have not lost at La Meinau since September 25 against Lille, proved to be solid defensively in a committed match. Matz Sels was not overly worried by the two shots on target from Seko Fofana (22nd and 59th), a little alone in being dangerous on the blood and gold side. David Pereira Da Costa could have rocked the nets for the hosts, after good work from Przemyslaw Frankowski on his left side, but his shot from the penalty spot flew into the Alsatian sky.
Julien Stéphan’s men managed to be a little more dangerous and could have opened the scoring before half-time. Frédéric Guilbert stumbled on Jean-Louis Leca, after a good recovery at the feet of Facundo Medina. A fright in the Lensoise defense which had nevertheless shown solidity with in particular a good performance from the young Christopher Wooh in central defense.
The solution finally came from a generous penalty for a hand of Przemyslaw Frankowski. Ludovic Ajorque then did not hesitate to send a missile into the nets of Jean-Louis Leca, yet started on the right side. The Strasbourg could even have doubled the bet with a new penalty kick, after a much more obvious fault from the blood and gold doorman. But the Corsican rectified his error by repelling the strike from Kévin Gameiro.
Dimitri Liénard and his teammates have an eighth consecutive match without defeat, getting a little closer to the podium. The Strasbourg residents are only two points away from a qualifying place in the Champions League. They will receive Lyon next week to ignite, once again, the Meinau.