While his teammates carry out their last tactical set-up, Vincent Demarconnay trains on the sidelines. Ill, the goalkeeper did not participate in the collective sessions this week. Last Saturday at the end of the friendly match against AC Ajaccio (1-0), Thierry Laurey told us “to be still thinking” about the choice of goalkeeper. The question therefore no longer arises. Croatian Ivan Filipovic, 5 L2 games last season, will start at Sochaux. But even without Demarconnay’s minor health concerns, the decision would undoubtedly have been the same.
Paris FC ended last season with a cruel disappointment in the play-offs against Sochaux. He therefore begins the championship with a reunion with his executioner. “No one has forgotten what happened, recognizes captain Cyril Mandouki. But we tried to move on to get off to a good start. We can’t wait to be there, but we’re not going to Sochaux in the spirit of being vengeful or putting excessive pressure on ourselves. The first match is always very important. We know it. The last two seasons, we had started very well (4-0 in Chambly, then 4-0 in Grenoble), it can set the tone for a season. Leaders have brought maturity and experience to the workforce. It’s definitely a plus. We also talked a little between us. Injuries, misforms last year are not only the fault of the staff. There is a big part for us, the players. We have to be responsible for our body. Our body, it must be like an F1. »
Thierry Laurey believes that his team is not “yet ready at the physical level and in the game”. But the PFC coach hopes “that she will compensate with the mental aspect and the state of mind”. “Playing at Sochaux forces us to be even more focused from the start,” he continues. The lessons we can learn after 4-5 days. But getting off to a good start is key. We’re still going to rev up, but this season will be special with 15 days before November so we won’t have to drag on too much. We have a complicated calendar during this month of August. You will have to be there. »
In addition to the suspensions of Name and Camara, Paris FC is still helpless in the offensive sector. Gory and Chahiri are too tight to last a whole match and Guilavogui, operated on adductors in June, will be operational within 2 to 3 weeks. Against Sochaux, 4 recruits from the transfer window (Le Cardinal, Lasne, Phiri and Hamel) will start in the starting lineup.
Match sheet
SOCHAUX-PARIS FC, Monday (8.45 p.m.), Bonal stadium. Referee: Mr. Petit.
Paris FC : Filipovic – Le Cardinal, Chergui, Bernauer, Hanin – Lasne, Mandouki (cap.) Iglesias, Phiri, Lopez – Hamel. Rempl. : Candy, Maaga (g.), Bamba, Hadjam, Teacher, Caddy, Gory, Pembelé, Chahiri. Entr. : Laurey.
Absent: Demarconnay, Diakité (sick), Camara, Name (suspended), Guilavogui (resumption), Demoncy (choice), Kanté, Boutaïb (rehabilitation).
Sochaux : Henry, Agouzoul, Ozornwafor, Armougom – Mauricio, Weissbeck (cap.), Ndiaye, Faussurier – Sissoko, Kalulu. Entr. : Guegan.