BlueCo-owned RC Strasbourg Alsace have suffered a second Ligue 1 home loss on the bounce.
A week on after falling to a clinical Elye Wahi-led RC Lens side, Patrick Vieira’s team was logically beaten by FC Nantes on Friday for Ligue 1’s eighth matchweek opening game. Les Canaris had the upper hand from the get-go and made their domination count with two quickfire goals before the hour mark, courtesy of strikes from right-sided wingback Marcus Coco and midfielder Samuel Moutoussamy. Moïse Sahi Dion halved the deficit for the Alsatians in injury time.
In the standings, Nantes have leapfrogged their opponents to temporarily go up in 8th place. Vieira’s tenure at the helm of Strasbourg so far can be considered a bit middling with the Alsatians gathering only nine points out of a possible 24. The former Arsenal legend’s gamble to switch to a 3-4-2-1 formation completely backfired against Pierre Aristouy’s enterprising side. “Nantes were completely superior to us in all aspects. It was a collective failure“, assessed Vieira in his post-game press conference transcribed by L’Equipe.
The 1998 World Cup winner with France admitted his Strasbourg side lacked character in decision-making as well as intensity and bravery. “We did not take enough risks as if we were lacking confidence. From start to finish, we did not show much. It’s our worst game since I took charge.” The former Crystal Palace head coach would take advantage of the upcoming international break to right those wrongs. Vieira’s Strasbourg will then face Paris Saint-Germain and Rennes.
GFFN | Bastien Cheval
