After his participation in the last African Cup of Nations with Algeria, Faouzi Ghoulam returned to the French Ligue 1 pitches. The Algerian international from AS Saint-Etienne made his first appearance on the 25th day against Reims.
The Algerian defender’s return to competition was not synonymous with victory for Stéphanois. AS Saint-Etienne could not do better than a draw (1-1) against Rémois.
Faouzi Ghoulam regretted having let slip a fifth victory in a row for his team. “We had good control in the first half, we knew they were going to push in the second. They had several opportunities and by pushing, it paid off for them.”
The Greens defender did not start from the beginning of the match. He came into play in the 78th minute just after Reims’ goal. “We were not unworthy, we had chances on difficult terrain. We wanted to continue with a 5th victory in a row, but it’s an away point which is good to take, even if we have some regrets,” he conceded.
Ghoulam, a full-fledged starter on the left flank of the Saint-Etienne defense since the start of the championship, lost his place during his long absence last January when he honored his first selection with the Fennecs to play in the 29th edition of the CAN in South Africa.
