FEATURE | Red Star’s final push for Ligue 2: talking tactics with Habib Beye

Red Star 3-0 Versailles. It was an important win for Les Audoniens who sank Versailles’ promotion hopes whilst boosting their own with 3 games left to play in the third tier.

Manager Habib Beye walked into the media area – a room that resembled more of a storage cupboard than a press zone – with a noticeable spring in his step. His side are, in his own words, “on the hunt” for promotion to Ligue 2 after a statement win against a direct rival.

With gleaming satisfaction the current Canal+ pundit broke down a tactical change which has proved successful in recent games for Red Star, whilst looking ahead to three vital games that could spell promotion for the club.

L’Étoile Rouge had recovered from two defeats against promotion rivals Dunkerque and Concarneau with a winning streak that included a 4-1 win against Nancy, a 1-0 win at home to Bastia Borgo, finishing with a vital away 3-0 win against Versailles.

Following the two defeats against Concarneau and Dunkerque, Red Star needed something to switch-up their season. There was the feeling that Beye’s side had become predictable in their 4-4-2 shape, and the manager admitted this himself.

“We arrived at a moment where the opposition studied us and we became quite predictable. 4-4-2 is a system which is quite linear and demands a lot of athletic and mental commitment,” said the former Newcastle defender.

“We ended up struggling to create a lot of chances, and that is one of the worst things for me to see as a coach – because my job is to build a team which can offensively hurt the opposition.”

To aid that, Beye and his staff – including the talented former Lyon youth manager Pierre Sage – worked on formation change in order to put the team on a “positive way forward”. Thus against Nancy Red Star switched to a back three, with the notable inclusion of inverted wing-backs. In other words, a Guardiola-inspired move to place wrong-footed players in the wing-back positions with two holding midfielders – Fred Dembi and Ryad Hachem – remaining in place.

“The advantage we have is that a set of defensive principles that don’t change depending on the system that we put in place. It doesn’t matter with how many spots defenders line up with because we have players who have the ability to cover and defend against the counter. We wanted to destabilise the opposition in some way, and we saw it this evening with Blondon Meyapa, Loïc Kougaba, and Josué Homawoo.”

Beye spoke about implementing this kind of system in France’s third tier, where the style of play is usually based on physicality and pragmatism. “We’ve not revolutionised this system at all, but the fact we play with wrong footed players is still something pretty ballsy to do at this level.”

“When we decide play a back-three with inverted wing-backs, it’s not because we want to reinvent football or do something particularly out of the ordinary. It’s conceived because we have the players for it, we have runners here who are fantastic and have the legs to withstand the strain.”

Red Star’s January signing Merwan Infaoui (24) was once again vital in creating chances for his side. A wonderful back-heeled assist for Hacène Benali’s tight-angled opener capped off what was an impressive display, along side Red Star’s own young and energetic striker Jovany Ikanga (21). Beye broke down their ‘free’ role in attack along with Hacène Benali (23):

“They are free in their attacking role because they are a lot more talented than I was. But their defensive work consists of closing off the interior passing lanes and trying to direct the opponent’s offensive play to the wide areas of the pitch.”

“Behind them is this block of five players that will set the pace on the press and transitions, because we want the ball back as soon as possible,” explained the former defender.

Jovany Ikanga has been Red Star’s revelation this season. At 21 years-old the striker penned his first professional contract with his club in the summer, and has become a vibrant-yet-raw talent that has made the step-up to third tier senior football.

“He’s a boy who needs to keep working. It still shows in front of the experienced Versailles defence of Thibault Jacques and Pierre Gibaud that he is still missing some of the aptitudes for a player of the future of the very highest level,” continued Beye, adding that “He has to keep learning and use this kind of game as an experience.”

“My dream is to see him in a year’s time with us maybe at a higher level or maybe elsewhere in two years. I’d like to see him in the stands and say ‘we participated in making him the player he is today’ He did a good job today but it is up to him to find consistency and continue his progress.”

Red Star now head into the last three games of the season against Cholet, Châteauroux, and Stade Briochin. It will be the first time for over a month that supporters in the Tribune Rino Della Negra will be able to push on their side at Stade Bauer for what they hope will be a late-on surge for promotion to Ligue 2.

Beye also offered some perspective on how far the club has come in one season since finishing near the bottom-end of the National. “The reality is what I’ve told the squad – I’m already proud of what they are about to do this season,” said Beye.

“We’re in a championship with six relegation spots, where last year we finished 11th, and with a team that I’ve only been in charge of for less than two years.”

“Today, what you see in Red Star is a team with a DNA, a style of play, and a philosophy. You don’t get bored when you watch us now – and that is a pleasure.”

Championnat National table with three games to go

One year since 777 Partners’ controversial takeover

The Cholet game will mark a year since the controversial takeover of the club by 777 Partners. In terms of the club’s relationship with its ultra group in the Rino Della Negra stand, the lines have been drawn – a fracture still exists between the club and sections of its supporters.

This is not to say that excitement isn’t building over a potential return back to the second tier after a 5-year spell in the Championnat National. In fact, Red Star’s fans have been numerous at an ever-changing Stade Bauer under development this season with some strenuous punishments implemented by the French Football Federation. Whilst “777 out” remains the message from the club’s ultras – it won’t stop a building fervour over what has been a promotion race for the ages.

Les Audoniens sit fourth place with 54 points, two points away from the promotion spots held by Martigues (56 points) and Concarneau (56 points) – whilst Dunkerque are sandwiched between in third place on 55 points. In three games anything could happen, but Red Star will have to look at taking 9 points if they are to be in with the best chance of promotion on 26th May. There is little to no room for error, but Habib Beye’s side could be three games away from Ligue 2.

GFFN | George Boxall

Photo Credit: Bazil Fleury – @icietailleurs55 on Instagram.