The ingredients for a great afternoon were almost all there. Pleasant weather, a well-filled stadium, a great atmosphere, the visit of Samuel Eto’o and Eric Abidal, and a Reims goal scored shortly before the half-hour mark. It wasn’t enough for total happiness for the Reims, finally beaten 2-1 and a final goal conceded in stoppage time. Disappointed, the Reims supporters did not hold it against them in they resisted before giving in. Very quickly, moreover, the Lensois took the match on their own and imposed a steady pace. But as often, the vigilance of Predrag Rajkovic allowed Reims not to concede a goal, despite attempts by Seko Fofana and especially Kevin Danso. Not effective, the visitors submitted to the rapid projections of the Rémois. On one of these outputs, Marshall Munetsi quickly find Arber Zeneli on the left side. After fixing his defender, he sends a very nice curling shot with his right foot into the opposite corner of Wuilker Farinez (29th).
Not enough to modify the Lensois game plan, unable however to return to the score for lack of precision. Faced with resistance from Reims, the scenario repeats itself and the Blood and Gold are exposed. And Marshall Munetsi is close to scoring a brilliant goal from midfield. But Farinez saved his people. Worn out by the efforts made, the Stade de Reims was retreating. And ended up giving in for the first time on a center back from the right that Florian Sotoca took over victoriously. Reinvigorated, the Lensois push to the end. But Reims defended itself well. The Marnais club was even very close to regaining the advantage. But the shot of Nathanael Mbuku, in the area, was too crossed (87th). Finally, after a hell of a battle, Seko Fofana delivered his own in the last moments with a cross shot from the left. Hard to take for fatalistic Reims. Two games from the end, the Rémois still remain 12th before a final trip this season, to the empty St-Etienne stadium next Saturday.
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In Reims (Auguste Delaune stadium), Lens beat Stade de Reims 2-1
- Arbitrator : Mr Ferreira
- Spectators : 16962
- Half time: 1-0
- Goals – Zeneli (28th) for Reims, Sotoca (55th), Fofana (92nd) for Lens
- Warnings – at Reims Azor Matusiwa (61st); to Lensois Fernando Medina (72nd), Seko Fofana (92nd)
- Reims : Rajkovic – Locko (Kebbal, 61st), Abdelhamid (cap), Faes, Gravillon (Mbuku, 61st), Foket – Matusiwa, Munetsi, Lopy (K. Doumbia, 46th) – Zeneli (Busi, 46th), Touré (Ekitiké, 74th). Entr. :Oscar Garcia
- lens : Farinez – Frankowski (Machado, 65th), Medina, Danso, Gradit, Clauss (Jean, 84th) – Doucouré, Fofana, Pereira Da Costa (Kakuta, 65th) – Kalimuendo (Saïd, 65th), Sotoca (Ganago, 79th). Entr. : Frank Haise
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