‘That’s why they are where they are in the league’ – Cannes’ Cheikh N’Doye critical of Reims’ performance | OneFootball

AS Cannes were beaten but they certainly were not outplayed as their Coupe de France adventure came to an end at the hands of Stade de Reims (1-2) on Wednesday night.

There should have been a gulf in quality between these two sides. Reims are struggling in Ligue 1 and are mired in a relegation battle but they rank comfortably above fourth-tier side Cannes, who are in a fight for promotion to the National 1 this season. However, it was the fourth-tier side that dictate proceedings at the Stade Pierre de Coubertin, having 62% of the possession and registering 17 shots, seven more than Reims.

Stadistes a ‘Ligue 1 side that don’t want to play football’ – N’Doye

Les Stadistes were willing to allow Cannes to have the ball and then simply hit on the break, as they did for the first goal, whilst Reims’ second, through Teddy Teuma, came through a lapse in concentration just moments after Cheikh N’Doye’s equaliser. The Cannes captain, however, wasn’t impressed by Reims.

“It’s really frustrating, disappointing,” said N’Doye in a post-match press conference attended by Get French Football News. “We played well and there are no regrets. Unfortunately, we lost like that. That is football – it is cruel. They are a Ligue 1 side that don’t want to play football. That’s why they are where they are in the league (15th out of 18).”

GFFN | Luke Entwistle – reporting from Cannes