Strasbourg Claims Victory Over Reims to Boost Unbeaten Streak and Enter Top Four

In-form RC Strasbourg Alsace maintained their pursuit of UEFA Champions League qualification with a hard-earned 1-0 triumph over relegation-threatened Stade de Reims, climbing into fourth place following their fifth consecutive Ligue 1 victory.

Although Reims enjoyed a celebratory atmosphere after securing their spot in the Coupe de France final earlier in the week, their spirits were dampened when Ismael Doukoure opened the scoring in the fourth minute at Stade Auguste-Delaune.

The unmarked defender notched his first goal since January 2023, expertly guiding home from a Sebastian Nanasi inswinging corner, thus breaking Strasbourg’s six-match streak without a first-half goal.

The visitors seemed to have surrendered their narrow lead when Junya Ito struck a powerful near-post shot past goalkeeper Dorde Petrovic, only to be met with relief as referee Clement Turpin disallowed the goal due to a handball infringement.

Moments later, Chelsea’s on-loan player Andrey Santos wasted a prime opportunity to score for the third straight match, directing his effort from a tight angle into the side netting, meaning Liam Rosenior’s men would head into the break with just a single goal advantage.

Another Chelsea loanee, Petrovic, made a crucial save early in the second half, extending his left leg to block a shot from Keito Nakamura despite initially moving the wrong way.

Strasbourg came perilously close to extending their lead when their top scorer, Emanuel Emegha, redirected a shot onto the post from a Dilane Bakwa squared pass.

As the match approached its conclusion, Strasbourg squandered a promising four-on-two opportunity when substitute Sam Amo-Ameyaw’s effort was blocked.

Fortunately for the ambitious contenders for European football, failing to score a second goal did not prove detrimental, as they held firm at the back to secure a fourth consecutive away win without conceding, though not before Diego Moreira of Strasbourg and Mory Gbane of Reims were sent off following a late altercation.

While Rosenior’s side continues to chase Champions League dreams, Samba Diawara’s team finds itself dropping into the relegation zone with only six matches remaining in Ligue 1.