Yahoo Sports PLAYER RATINGS | Strasbourg 1-1 Angers: Liam Rosenior’s side held as Angers earn first point
Ligue 1 McDonald’s, Round 4, 15/09/24
RC Strasbourg Alsace were held to a 1-1 draw by SCO Angers at the Meinau on Sunday, with the latter earning their first point of the season and lifting themselves off the bottom of the Ligue 1 table.
The Match
Strasbourg’s ultras, in protest at the club’s BlueCo owners, have as a means of protest, stayed silent and on strike during the opening 15 minutes of all of Les Alsaciens’ matches this season. It seemed as though RCSA’s players were on strike too in the opening exchanges. High-intensity, fast starts have become a hallmark of the new Liam Rosenior era, however, there was a distinct lack in the opening 15 minutes against Angers.
Strasbourg’s ultras woke up, and so did the players. Right on cue, in the 15th minute, Emanuel Emegha was put through on goal by Ismael Doukouré. He should have done better with his effort but he could only find the feet of SCO Angers goalkeeper Yahia Fofana.
The Ivory Coast goalkeeper would bail his defence out time and time again in the first half but there was nothing that he could do with Sebastien Nanasi’s opener. It was the Swedish playmaker who worked the chance, with his drifting run across the box. He fed Dilane Bawka, who took two Angers defenders out of the game with one touch, before putting the ball across goal for Nanasi to touch home.
A flurry of chances ensued. Andrey Santos’ header was well saved from Fofana; the goalkeeper was called into action at his near post to deny Diego Moreria; Habib Diarra was then put through one-on-one, but Fofana was there once again. He was beaten by Bakwa’s long-range effort just seconds later but the underside of the bar saved Angers from heading into the break two goals behind.
Strasbourg would be made to rue their profligacy. Alexandre Dujeux’s side returned from the dressing room metamorphosis and with a renewed energy. Angers pressed high and with intensity and drew mistakes from RCSA. They got their reward just past the hour mark with Bamba Dieng meeting Florent Hinan’s inch-perfect cross.
Neither side could sustain a period of pressure thereafter, although Strasbourg almost snatched all three points on. Fofana was beaten, Emegha’s well-struck effort found the post, meaning that both sides settled for a draw; it is a point that satisfies Angers more than Strasbourg.
Strasbourg player ratings
Djordje Petrovic – 4
There is little that the Chelsea loanee could have done about Dieng’s equaliser, and in terms of shot-stopping, he wasn’t asked to do much else, making just one, simple save, which came in the 76th minute. However, his distribution was sub-standard, and at times rushed.
Abakar Sylla – 4
Saidou Sow – 4
Guéla Doué – 5
Ismael Doukouré – 4
An uncharacteristically sloppy performance from Doukouré, who under pressure, played his side into trouble at times, notably on two occasions early in the second half while Angers were in the ascendancy.
Andrey Santos – 3
Not the Chelsea loanee’s finest hour. Elected Pépite du Mois, awarded to the best young player in Ligue 1, in August, the Brazilian failed to control the midfield for Strasbourg, as he so often does. He looked overrun at times and lost possession on 12 occasions, allowing some dangerous transitional moments.
Sebastien Nanasi – 7
At times, even as early as the 15-minute mark, Nanasi looked like he was struggling to manage the physicality of the game. However, he is a player who can drift out of the game, and go virtually unseen for periods before showing up when it matters and with the quality to make the difference. Technically, he was faultless; every ball was played to perfection, with the right pace, at the right time. RCSA’s opener was all of his own making and every time he got on the ball, he created danger in the Angers defence.
Habib Diarra – 4
Diego Moreira – 6
A strong performance in an unfamiliar position at left-back. He was dangerous going forward and caused havoc with his runs both inside and outside. He adapted in the second-half with Angers in the ascendancy, carrying out his defensive duties aptly.
Dilane Bakwa – 7
Emanuel Emegha – 4
