Strasbourg’s Impressive Start in Ligue 1
Strasbourg, under the leadership of new coach Gary O’Neil, marked an impressive start in Ligue 1 by securing a 2-1 victory against their regional rivals Metz this past Sunday. O’Neil, who took over the managerial role earlier this month following the exit of Liam Rosenior to Chelsea, had already led his squad to a decisive win at a lower-tier club in the French Cup, advancing them into the tournament’s last 16.
Significance of the Victory
This triumph is particularly significant given that Strasbourg had been winless in their previous five league encounters. The result propelled the team to seventh place in the league, while Metz remains anchored at the bottom of the standings, having accumulated a mere 12 points from 18 matches.
Match Highlights
The game began with Diego Moreira scoring for Strasbourg in the 12th minute, but their lead was short-lived as Gauthier Hein equalized for Metz from the penalty spot shortly thereafter. However, just before the halftime whistle, Strasbourg clinched the match when Martial Godo scored with a header, securing all three points for the hosts.
Controversy Surrounding Coaching Change
The coaching change has not been without controversy, as supporters are expressing their dissatisfaction with the club’s multi-club ownership model. The departure of Rosenior has intensified calls for the resignation of president Marc Keller, particularly since Strasbourg has been under the ownership of BlueCo, affiliated with Chelsea’s owner, since 2023. Fans demonstrated their discontent by displaying critical banners during the match.
Other Ligue 1 News
In other Ligue 1 news, Lens continues to lead the standings after achieving their 10th straight win across all competitions by narrowly defeating Auxerre 1-0, maintaining a slim one-point advantage over defending champions Paris Saint-Germain (PSG). PSG prepared for their upcoming Champions League clash against Sporting with a solid 3-0 victory against Lille on Friday. Meanwhile, Marseille secured a commanding 5-2 win over Angers, gearing up for their own Champions League encounter with Liverpool next week.
