February 2022

In front of the stand, Saturday February 26, the players of Paris FC sing and dance with their supporters. They celebrated the return of the public to Charléty, following two games relocated to Le Mans and a match behind closed doors, with a capital success once morest Sochaux (3-1), a direct competitor for the climb. Long led and not very inspired, the Parisians had the Sochaux expose in six minutes. A big blow in accounting terms since they relegate Sochaux to seven points. It’s starting to smell good.

What you must remember

Benefiting from the returns of Samir Chergui and Khalid Boutaïb in the starting lineup, Thierry Laurey had chosen to place Moustapha Name in “ten” behind the center forward. Between two teams that do not engage, the first half hour of this shock was tactical, but very timid. Not precise enough, the Parisian players have trouble finding each other and lose many balls. Their best movement is defensive with this magnificent intervention by Samir Chergui at the feet of Do Couto who was going to strike (33rd). But on a cross from N’Dour, Mauricio deceives Vincent Demarconnay with a header (0-1, 35th). As at Guingamp last Saturday (1-1), Paris FC missed its first period.

But he recovered by putting the Sochaux under pressure as soon as they returned from the locker room. It finally plays higher the balls arrive in the feet. Laurey brings in Morgan Guilavogui and Julien Lopez (64th). As Omar Daf, the Sochaux coach, noted, “the PFC bench made the difference. In three minutes, the Parisians manage to overthrow Sochaux. On a corner, Khalid Boutaïb equalizes by scoring his 2nd goal in 3 games since his arrival (1-1, 70th). On a pass from Florent Hanin, Morgan Guilavogui, the team’s top scorer brings his total to 11 goals (2-1, 73rd). And Lamine Gueye, on a solitary rush following a deviation from Guilavogui, capsized the Charléty stadium with his 2nd goal in 4 games since signing for the PFC (3-1, 76th). But the Senegalese loaned by Metz (L1) is injured on the action (sprain).

Paris FC blasted Sochaux with three goals in six minutes. A scenario that seemed unimaginable as the Parisians have long seemed borrowed. But they have shown their ability to let the storm pass when the ship is pitching and this ability to score at any time as soon as they accelerate. The composite portrait of a future promoted to L1?

Player: Florent Hanin

The left side of Paris FC had a very solid match in defense while being very offensive. He scored his team’s first two goals. By tearing away on the left side, he obtained a free kick which brought the corner where Khalid Boutaïb equalized (70th). He is then decisive passer for Morgan Guilavogui (73rd). At the last minute, following a fine save from Vincent Demarconnay, he was still there to counter Mauricio and prevent the score from being reduced. A full game.

The number: 14

Paris FC continued their unbeaten streak with this 14th match without defeat (10 wins, 4 draws). The Parisians have not lost since October 16 (1-0) in Pau, more than four months.

The reaction

“We were not satisfied with the first period, there was not enough forward play, speed. I felt like we were tense. But we were able to correct the situation. At halftime, we had to reinvigorate them by saying “guys you are not playing your life.” If we had lost, it wouldn’t have been a disaster, we would have stayed 2nd. We had no reason to put unnecessary pressure on our shoulders. We came back with another reflection in the game. The comebacks of Julien Lopez and Morgan Guilavogui were very interesting. The 2nd period is much more consistent. You have to try to hunker down when things aren’t going so well and not ignite when things are going well. What I like is that we manage to resume and reverse the fate of a match. I liked that reaction. We know that we don’t have a huge margin on many teams. So you have to be careful. Sochaux, seven points, it’s not trivial. We want to stay as long as possible undefeated but we know that all our opponents want us to fall. You have to accept it and not fear the day when it will happen. » Thierry Laurey, Paris FC coach

Match sheet

PARIS FC-SOCHAUX: 3-1 (0-1).

Spectators: 2,766

Referee: Mr. Paradis.

Buts. Paris FC: Boutaïb (70th), Guilavogui (73rd), Gueye (76th); Sochaux: Mauricio (35th).

Warnings. Sochaux: Thioune (80th).

Paris FC: Demarconnay – Chergui, Kanté (cap.), Camara (Bernauer, 90th), Hanin – Siby, Iglésias (Lopez, 64th) – Gueye (Alfarela, 79th), Name, Gory (Guilavogui, 64th) – Boutaïb. Entr. Laurey.

Sochaux : Jeannin – Henry (Senaya, 43rd), Lopy, Diedhiou (F. Pogba, 64th), Ndour – Ndiaye, Weissbeck (cap.) (Tebily, 78th) – Do Couto (Thjonen, 78th), Mauricio, Kalulu – Kitala ( Ambri, 80e). Entr. : Daf.