2023-12-09 22:20:10
“If you are proud to be from Reunion, clap your hands…” The many Saint-Denis FC supporters sing and take selfies with the players. A few minutes earlier, the Paris FC players had reserved a well-deserved guard of honor for them. The 10th in Ligue 2, who opened the scoring with Yoan Koré (68th), quickly conceded the equalizer on a goal from Bacary Said Toufely (72nd), before snatching qualification (3-1) against the 4th in Ligue 2. Reunion Island Regional 1 championship, thanks to a double from Lamine Diaby Fadiga (88th, 90th + 4) at the very end of the match.
In the Coupe de France, the free operation at the Charléty stadium is not in place. But of the 2,081 spectators recorded, almost half were from Reunion Island. On the stadium square, there was a Reunion atmosphere, with food trucks serving rougail sausages and chicken curry.
“It feels like home, it warms our hearts to be here despite the bad weather,” smiles Manu, Reunion flag on his back, having come with his family from Loiret. Like him, the Reunion supporters believed in the feat. If Fred Bachelier, the Saint-Denis coach, had chosen to play with a (very) low block, each time the ball was lifted, we could hear murmurs in the stands.
When equalizing, the atmosphere is raised another notch. Too bad there were a few scuffles at the end of the match in the stands. But the supporters of Saint-Denis FC did not want to shy away from their pleasure.
“I’m from Trois-Bassins but we came to support Saint-Denis, our capital,” smiles Wilfried, who lives in Sainte-Geneviève-des-Bois (91). We don’t feel the cold and the rain. We can be proud of our players. They fought and fought until the end. Of course we believed it after the equalizer. But Paris FC are professionals. It came down to experience. Our team is not used to playing in these conditions, on a large field. If it had been in Saint-Denis, the result would have been different, that’s for sure. »
“We felt this Reunion atmosphere”
In front of the numerous media at Reunion, coach Fred Bachelier wanted to pay “tribute to his players”.
“They suffered a lot but they held on until the 88th minute. The objective was not to be far behind at half-time. We reached it. After our equalizer, we perhaps thought we could reach the penalty shootout. I feel a lot of pride tonight. I was at the stadium on Tuesday for the Paris FC – Rodez match. Paris is one of the fittest teams in L2 at the moment, we play 4 divisions below. But we made them doubt. »
The Reunion coach appreciated the atmosphere: “It was a pleasure to play here in Paris in front of our entire community who have lived in mainland France for a long time. We felt this Reunion atmosphere. It warmed our hearts. I think we pleased our audience, that’s the most important thing. »
Housed in Lisses (Essonne) since the start of the week, Saint-Denis FC will leave with the proceeds from the match and refreshments. A gesture from the leaders of Paris FC obviously appreciated.
Paris FC has undoubtedly lost Sofiane Alakouch
As for Paris FC, which qualified for the 3rd year in a row for a round of 32, we didn’t really have the heart to smile. It was a Stéphane Gilli, marked and moved, who presented himself at a press conference. The concern was indeed very great for Sofiane Alakouch, left in the 86th minute on a stretcher and in tears after hearing his knee crack. The right back on loan from Metz, who has performed very well since his arrival at PFC, will take exams. But he could suffer a torn cruciate ligament, which would mean the end of his season.
“It hurts a lot to see one of your players cry like that,” sighs Stéphane Gilli. I am very touched. Humanly, I’m really disappointed for Sofiane. He agreed to play injured matches, he was very involved and there we risk losing him. It’s terrible for him because he got back on track well with us. This qualification in pain therefore necessarily has a very bitter taste. In the match, we narrowly missed in the last move. Saint-Denis played its game, speculating on counterattacks and long balls and did not come far from the feat. Obviously, with us at 1-1, we weren’t very calm. »
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