FC Rodange 91

RTL Today has for some reason decided to assign the new intern (me) the task of outlining the accomplishments of every club playing in Luxembourg's top football league. It is a journey that will take us through 16 clubs and to every corner of this little country.

Today we travel to the extreme southwest of Luxembourg to cover a team desperately fighting against the drop in FC Rodange 91.

History

FC Rodange 91 was formed in 1991 after a merger between local sides FC Chiers (founded 1907) and FC Racing (founded 1931). Those sides had played a combined 21 seasons in the National Division before the merger, and Racing reached the Coupe du Luxembourg final in 1949.

Rodange were promoted to the National Division for the first time as a new club in 1995. They survived in their first season, but went down second from bottom in 1997. The club spent two more seasons in the top tier in 2000-01 and 2017-18, but both campaigns resulted in relegation.

Rodange's current spell in the National Division began in 2019. The club were near the bottom of the league when the 2019-20 season was cancelled due to Covid-19, but were spared relegation. They finished 12th out of 16 last season, a performance that would have been good enough to survive if relegation was in play.

Now playing in a third consecutive National Division season, Rodange are in the midst of their longest spell as a top-tier side.

Accomplishments

Rodange have not won any top-level honours, but they won the Division of Honour in 1995 and 2019. Predecessor club Chiers also won the Division of Honour in 1960 and 1975.

Stadium

Rodange's home stadium, Stade Joseph Philippart, is currently undergoing renovations. Therefore, the club has been playing its home matches at the Stade Municipal in nearby Pétange, which it shares with fellow National Division side Union Titus Pétange.

When the renovations are complete, the Philippart will have a new stand for fans to enjoy.

This Season

Rodange's three-year stay in the National Division is under serious threat to come to an end this season, as the club sit 15th in the league, 8 points adrift of the relegation playoff places.

Rodange's form had been given a shot in the arm recently by the desire to fight relegation, as following a disastrous 8-0 thumping by Fola Esch on March 19, they won three of their next four games, which is as many as they had won in the 22 games prior. One of those wins was a shock result over 2nd-placed Progrès Niederkorn on April 16, which gave Rodange hope that they could close the gap to 14th place, but a devastating loss to Wiltz 71- the team occupying that place- on Sunday has made their survival prospects look very bleak. They will have to beat league leaders F91 Dudelange and two other teams to even have a chance at staying up now.

French left winger Kilian Amehi and Senegalese right winger Momar N'Diaye share the club lead with 6 goals each. Goalkeeper Anthony Mfa Mezui, capped 18 times by Gabon, has tried his best between the sticks and played the most minutes of any Rodange player this season.

Though their season will likely end in relegation, Rodange can be proud of the effort they have shown in the late stages of this campaign to try and stay up, which should serve to inspire the club next season whether they are still a National Division side or not.

For more information, visit the club's website.