Red Star de Saint-Ouen secured a much-needed victory, triumphing over Grenoble Foot 38 with a decisive score of 3-1 during the 16th round of Ligue 2 on Saturday, December 14, 2024, at Stade Bauer. This match, featuring two bottom-ranked teams desperate for points, showcased the Red Star's resurgence as they reclaimed confidence and clarity amid this season's struggles.
Looking to distance themselves from the relegation zone, both teams faced intense pressure heading onto the pitch. Red Star had not enjoyed victory since November 1, when they narrowly defeated Martigues (1-0). Similarly, Grenoble's last win dated back to October 18 against Metz (2-0). Eager to turn the tide, the match started with fervor.
The home team made their intentions clear early, with Hacene Benali scoring the opening goal by the 10th minute. Demonstrated by his impressive header, Benali connected with Damien Durand's precise cross to put Red Star 1-0 up, marking his third goal of the season. This initial goal rattled the Grenoble side.
Just six minutes later, Red Star doubled their lead through Kemo Cissé, who capitalized on a mistake from Grenoble's goalkeeper, Mamadou Diop. Cissé's shot from the edge of the box slipped through Diop's hands, putting the home side firmly in control with a 2-0 lead by the 16th minute.
Things got worse for Grenoble when they lost their midfielder, Dante Rigo, to injury. Suffering from what appeared to be a serious ankle injury, Rigo was carried off on a stretcher, forcing the Isérois to adjust their tactics. His departure left the team vulnerable. Just before halftime, Joachim Eickmayer added insult to injury, scoring the third goal for Red Star and cementing his team's dominant first half with the score sitting at 3-0 by the 36th minute.
The match seemed all but secured at halftime, with the Grenoblois clearly shaken. Despite returning to the field with renewed intent to claw back the score, their struggles were evident. Pape Meïssa Ba managed to pull one back for Grenoble with his 10th goal of the season, netting his team's only goal at the 54th minute. Yet, this brief glimmer of hope came too late, as Red Star had already established a commanding lead.
Despite Grenoble's resurgence efforts, including several missed opportunities and some good saves from Red Star goalkeeper Romain Risser, the score remained unchanged through the final minutes, ending the match at 3-1.
Following the victory, Red Star moved up to fourteenth place, climbing out of the relegation zone, much to the relief of their supporters who witnessed them finally take charge of the game at home. Coach Grégory Poirier emphasized the importance of this win, stating, "Le Red Star tient sa cinquième victoire de la saison en Ligue 2."
Conversely, Grenoble's situation remains precarious. The defeat marked their seventh consecutive match without victory, causing concern as they cling to just three points above the relegation spots. Coach Oswald Tanchot will have to intensify preparations for the team's upcoming match against Cannes on December 21 during the Coupe de France 32nd finals.
The match distinctly highlighted the Red Star's ability to capitalize on their opponent's mistakes, particularly in defense, and to effectively manage the game’s proceedings. This decisive win not only signifies their upward mobility but also maintains the shared hopes of the Red Star fandom as they continue their arduous campaign.
Bring on 2024: as the teams head to the winter break, much will depend on how each squad reorganizes. The Red Star fans will bask in the afterglow of their much-needed success, whereas the Grenoble supporters will anxiously watch their team’s next steps to avoid slipping even lower as the season progresses.
