Santos is the standout but Dilane Bakwa, who has the most assists in Ligue 1, has been electric on the wings; Emanuel Emegha has 10 league goals, a versatile skillset and a volume of running that is difficult for defenders to handle; Diego Moreira’s positional versatility is essential for Rosenior; and Guéla Doué and Mamadou Sarr have been rocks at the back, protecting Djordje Petrovic, who is thriving on loan after a middling season at Chelsea.
Young players tend to be inconsistent but Rosenior fields the youngest XI in the league most weeks and his team are solid; only the current top four have lost fewer games than Strasbourg this season.
Andrey Santos, the leading tackler in Ligue 1 and one of the best in Europe, was a miss in their goalless draw with Brest on Sunday, but he has been crucial; all indications are that he can have a similar impact at Chelsea next season.
The first shot on target for either side came in the 82nd minute and Strasbourg only registered three shots in the game, their joint-lowest total in Ligue 1 since Opta began taking records.
Ultras group UB90, BlueCo’s most ardent opponents in the stands, remain vocal outside the ground, contesting the strategy implemented at Strasbourg and opposing the wider philosophy that sees them tied in a multi-club project with Chelsea.
