Despite losing to Lille 2-1, Reims thought they were safe from the drop as they were still ahead of Le Havre when the final whistle blew at Stade Pierre-Mauroy. However, in an unbelievable turn of events, the Normans were awarded a penalty deep in injury time to maintain their Ligue 1 status. Skipper Abdoulaye Touré stepped up and delivered with a bold Panenka, leaving Reims players crestfallen. To remain in Ligue 1, the Champagne side needs to beat Metz – who beat Dunkerque on Saturday in the second preliminary playoff round – in a two-legged relegation playoff round.

On Wednesday, May 21st, Reims will travel to Metz’s Stade Saint-Symphorien. The return leg will be played at Reims’ Stade Auguste-Delaune on Thursday, May 29th. However, between those two dates, Reims have only the small matter of playing the Coupe de France final against PSG, which will be held on Saturday, May 24th, at Saint-Denis’ Stade de France. “It’s the nightmare scenario“, said Reims head coach Samba Diawara. “But it was possible given that we haven’t been able to gain the point we needed for three weeks.”

With two high-stakes games on either side of the Coupe de France final, the game against PSG is no longer a priority for Reims. “Clearly, it will be difficult to focus on it, I wasn’t thinking about it until safety was assured”, said Reims goalie Yehvann Diouf to The team. “I’m not going to say that I don’t want to play it, but it will leave a slightly bitter taste.”

Tezz | Bastien Horse