Can Reims, who have excelled in defense this season, partly thanks to the confident performance of Kenyan central defender Joseph Okumu, stand their ground against the formidable PSG?
In a much-anticipated match in the French championship, Reims is set to face Paris Saint-Germain on November 11th in what promises to be a thrilling contest. The encounter between these two teams holds particular intrigue due to the contrasting dynamics at play.
Reims, a club with a rich history of championship victories in France, has been making waves recently. Under the guidance of their manager, William Stil, they currently hold fourth place in Ligue 1 and are displaying a brand of high-quality defensive football.Β
Reims has shown their versatility by effectively shifting to a defensive strategy when necessary, as evidenced by their recent 1-0 away victory against Nantes, where they showcased a remarkably solid defense.Β
One of the key figures in Reims’ defense is Kenyan central defender Josef Okumu. In their last five matches, the team has conceded only four goals, keeping a clean sheet in three of them. A significant contribution is credited to the star Kenyan, who made a β¬12 million move to the French club from KAA Gent in Belgium this summer. Okumu, at 26 years old, has seamlessly integrated into the team’s playing style.
In contrast, PSG, following the influx of significant financial investments, has emerged as a powerhouse in French football. While they clinched the French championship title in the previous season, the team’s composition and style have evolved significantly over the past year. Whether PSG has become stronger or not remains a topic of debate. As of now, they occupy the second spot in the league standings, coming off a convincing 3-0 victory against Montpellier in their last match.
The last encounter between Reims and PSG ended in a 1-1 draw, but the upcoming clash positions PSG as the clear favorite. With PSG gaining momentum and aiming to secure a leading position, it’s expected that Luis Enrique’s squad will assert their dominance from the outset. Reims, while a determined competitor, faces a formidable PSG team that differs significantly from the one they previously faced, reducing their chances of success.
Despite Reims’ strong defensive performance this season, experts are not optimistic about PSG’s chances of not scoring at least one goal. According to 1xBet, the odds for PSG failing to breach the red and white defense led by Okumu stand at 6,5.