There was a semi-final in 1980 then a quarter-final in 1983 (under the name Racing Paris 1 after a merger with Racing)… But since then, only three 16th finals (2008, 2011, 2020). Forty later, Paris FC qualified for the round of 16 of the Coupe de France by beating without trembling the modest Chamalières (N2) 550,000 euros budget. . And if his rather gloomy season until then was brightened up by a good run in the Cup, an event where he has not shone for a very long time?
At the Gabriel Montpied stadium in Clermont, covered in places by a thick layer of snow, all the ingredients were there to offer a trap match to the Parisians. The big save from Vincent Demarconnay against May (25th) could reinforce this impression. But all that was needed was a counter-attack concluded by Warren Caddy (4th goal in the Cup this season) and a not firm enough hand on a strike from Julien Lopez from the substitute goalkeeper of Chamalières Odin, who had replaced Fournier injured at the shoulder and came out in tears, for the PFC to take cover.
“We showed the humility that I had asked for”
If Chamalières tried a lot (6 shots) at the start of the second period, Paris FC where Yvann Maçon on loan from Saint-Étienne (L2) made his first appearance, again made the difference on a lightning counter-attack signed Alimami Gory who serves perfectly Morgan Guilavogui. The top Parisian scorer (9th goal in all competitions) had been the subject of interest from Bordeaux this week. An offer obviously refused by the Parisian leaders who could not strengthen a direct competitor with their best striker and biggest current market value of the workforce. Former Lille central defender Yves Dabila, not very successful since his arrival at the PFC, added a 4th goal. Thierry Laurey’s team, which arrived in Clermont on Friday, proved to be diligent and serious.
“We showed the humility that I had asked for, I’m very happy about it, welcomes Thierry Laurey. Even if it’s never easy, this year we had fairly favorable draws and you have to know how to take advantage of them. The fact that we arrived there the day before also shows that we took this match very seriously. In the end, it’s an evening as we like to live in the Cup: a qualification without shaking too much by rotating the team a little. We were able to play some who needed playing time, save others and start young people. At 2-0, we weren’t very calm, we lost the thread a bit but we made the necessary changes. We know that in the Coupe de France, the hierarchically lower teams can open up and offer spaces. We took advantage of it on both counterattacks. »
For the rest, the Paris FC coach has no preference: “I am not a child, I do not dream. We know that this Cup, we will not win it. Last year we were kicked out of the Cup (on green carpet after the incidents against Lyon at Charléty). There, it allows everyone to continue the adventure. We are going to have 5 games in two weeks but we have the squad to keep up with this pace. Afterwards, we know that at this stage, there will be more big players who have ambitions than small ones. »
Match sheet
CHAMALIÈRES (N2) – PARIS FC (L2): 0-4 (0-2).
Spectators: 3,499.
Referee: M. Batta.
Buts. Caddy (30e), Lopez (41e, Guilavogui (69e), Dabila (73e).
Paris FC : Demarconnay – Chergui, Dabila, Gueho – Mason (Kore, 68th), Lasne (Bacha, 86th), Iglesias, Hanin (cap.) – Guilavogui (Mbala, 80th), Caddy (Mandouki, 68th), Lopez (Gory, 68th) . . . . Entr. : Laurey.
