Strasbourg's European Hopes Take Boost in Win Over ASSE

The home side didn't take long to find the back of the net as Diego Moreira opened the scoring in the seventh minute.

Emanuel Emegha caused real havoc on the right against Mickaël Nadé and smartly played the ball back. As it came, Moreira hit it with a thunderous outside-of-the-foot shot and found the top corner.

Saint-Étienne responded in the 20th minute to level the scoring thanks to a goal from Zuriko Davitashvili. Ismaël Doukouré was too easily caught in the corner of his box; Davitashvili cut inside, left everyone behind, and easily slotted the ball past Djordje Petrovic with a cross-shot.

After the match remained one-all at halftime, Strasbourg grabbed the lead with a goal in the 63rd minute. Found by a laser pass from Dilane Bakwa, Moreira crossed without control for Emegha, who finished from close range.

Strasbourg added an insurance goal in the 83rd minute as Guela Doué made a risky but successful ball clearance at the start. Habib Diarra's deflected cross was flicked on by Félix Lemaréchal, and Bakwa fired a half-volley that beat Gautier Larsonneur at his near post to seal the win.

Strasbourg's win keeps their European hopes alive, while Les Verts' loss leaves them running out of time to stay in France's top flight. With just three matches left in the season, they're currently in the direct relegation zone.

After the match, ASSE's Maxime Bernauer spoke to beIN Sports about the disappointing result.  

"Yes, we're disappointed. Disappointed with what we put out there... We knew it was going to be tough here; it's a strong team having a great season. We weren't able to bring the same energy we had against Lyon (2-1)."

"In our situation, we know that if we rely only on our individual qualities, it won't be enough. As soon as we're not all together, giving 100 percent, and not defending as a team, it gets difficult, especially against a team like this."

The Stat: 11

Following Paris Saint-Germain’s loss yesterday, Strasbourg now have the third-longest unbeaten run in Europe’s top five leagues, behind AS Roma (17) and Barcelona (14). 

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