Reims-Strasbourg preview: Still to inspire Reims?

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Still’s side are just four points off the top three, but would be in a better position had they not been beaten – by Paris Saint-Germain and Rennes – in their last two league games. Still can call on Japan international Keito Nakamura following his recovery from an ankle injury that has seen him sit out the last five league games as the Reims boss looks to get his team’s campaign back on track.

“Regarding the match against Rennes, we were honest. Our relationship is such that we can say to each other when things aren’t good, and that is what we did. I wasn’t good, the squad wasn’t good, individuals weren’t good. We don’t want to repeat that kind of performance, because it’s not the Stade de Reims we’d like to be, nor that the fans want to see,” explained Still, who is without full-backs Ibrahim Diakité and Josh Wilson-Esbrand as well as midfielders Valentin Atangana and Marshall Munetsi for the visit of the Alsatians to the Stade Auguste Delaune.

“They’re a very good side. Very well organised, with a good structure and set-up. And they’re above all a side that has had 3-4 good results. We’ve been warned, we know what to expect and I say it often enough, it’s up to us. If we want to be good and put in the right intensity, the right attitude into the match, we can do it.”

WATCH: Reims slip up vs. Rennes

Reims have lost just one of their last 17 games against Strasbourg at the Stade Auguste Delaune, but that was last season’s meeting, and Patrick Vieira’s team head to the Champagne region with things looking slightly rosier after a rocky start to the new campaign.

They have failed to win any of their last six league matches, but they have drawn their last trio of outings. With Reims losing three of their last six home games, Vieira sees the clouds clearing, especially following a promising 1-1 draw with Marseille last time out.

“I think we’ve seen the team feeling better and better about itself in recent matches, and that enabled us to play well against Marseille, even if we have some regrets,” said the former France international midfielder. “Since our first game against Lyon, I knew the problems we were going to have, but I have always looked the players’ attitude. And as long as it’s good, there’ll be progress. We have to build on what we’ve done in recent games.”

Probable teams

Reims: Diouf; Foket, Agbadou, Abdelhamid (c), De Smet; Matusiwa, Teuma, Richardson; Ito, O. Diakité, Daramy

Strasbourg: Sels (c); Guilbert, Nyamsi, Perrin, Sobol; Doukouré, Sissoko, Mwanga; Angelo Gabriel, Emegha, Mothiba

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