The state of Charléty’s lawn is something all the same… As the match went on, a large strip on the side of the main stand was completely destroyed. “I saw a Valenciennes player fall on his own, I’m almost ashamed to welcome a professional team to this field, but I’m not a gardener,” sighed Thierry Laurey after the match.
But these rather special and even dangerous playing conditions for the physical integrity of the players did not prevent the public from attending a small event in this L2 duel against Valenciennes: the first home victory for Paris FC since the August 6, 2022 (2-1 on the 2nd day of L2 against Quevilly RM). Excluded from the Coupe de France last year after the incidents in Charléty against Lyon in the 32nd finals, the Parisian club therefore qualifies for the 16th finals. Not really a specialist in this event, the PFC had reached this stage for the last time in 2020 (2-3 against Saint-Étienne).
Another lesson: this is the first time this season that Thierry Laurey’s team, which had chosen to line up a 3-4-3 by relaunching Cyril Mandouki and Ilan Kebbal (not used during the last meetings), manages to win a game after trailing. But Warren Caddy, on penalty (1-1, 28th) had quickly responded to Berthomier’s penalty (0-1, 16th). To protest against the match schedule (6 p.m.), the two Paris FC kops were not present in the stands at kick-off. If the Ultras Lutetia entered the stadium in the 10th minute, the space reserved for the Old Clan remained empty until half-time. But after their arrival which warmed up the atmosphere, Paris FC were able to break away in the second period thanks to Mehdi Chahiri (2-1, 49th) and Morgan Guilavogui, who had just entered the game (3-1, 66th). The Parisian top scorer brings his total to 8 achievements (6 in L2, 2 in the Coupe de France).
“Since the recovery, we have managed to create an interesting dynamic”
“The opener woke us up, recognizes Thierry Laurey. We started with a specific system and it didn’t really work. But we got it right. We made the necessary changes and our second half was much better. It’s a good evening with the qualification and playing time respected for the players. We are going to recover suspended and injured people, it must compete with everyone. Since the recovery we have managed to create an interesting dynamic, it must continue. We have to be much more regular in the second half of the season. »
Paris FC will play again on Tuesday in L2 against Dijon at Charléty. But given the extent of the damage this Friday evening, we can fear the worst for the lawn. The provider’s gardeners (lthe Botanic Society) chosen by the mayor of Paris have four days to perform miracles.
Match sheet
PARIS FC (L2) – VALENCIENNES (L2) 3-1 (1-1)
Spectators: 2614.
Referee: Mr. Paradis.
Buts. Paris FC : Caddy (28e s.p.), Chahiri (49e), Guilavogui (68ee) ; Valenciennes Berthomier (15e s.p.)
Warnings. Paris FC: Kebbal (37th); Valenciennes: Buatu (33rd).
Paris FC : Demarconnay – Gueho, Bernauer, Lefort – Gory (Koré, 88e), Lasne (Iglesias, 66e), Mandouki, Hadjam – Kebbal (Lopez, 46e), Caddy (Guilavogui, 66e), Chahiri (Mbala, 80e). Entr. : Laurey.
Valenciennes – Konate – Linguet, Buatu, Mr. Rabuel, Innocenti (Lecoeuche, 77th) – Kaba (Martin, 85th), Touré (Di Liberto, 60th), Berthomier – Boutoutaou (Boudraa, 77th), Bonnet (Noubissi, 85th), Nomel . Entr. : N. Rabuel.