The expected recovery. Eliminated last Saturday in the round of 16 of the Coupe de France at the bottom of Valenciennes (2-1), Paris FC moved forward this Tuesday evening during the 21st day by collecting a good draw in Laval (1 -1), revelation of the first part of the season and author of an exploit in Nantes (0-1) in the Cup on Saturday. Thanks to this draw, the Parisians still have the best record since the 11th day with 24 points taken out of 33 possible. If they slip to 9th place, they are still only one length behind the last place for the L1 promotion play-offs held by Caen (5th). Laval (4th) is 5 points away. For this pivotal match in Mayenne, coach Stéphane Gilli had modified his tactical scheme by playing 5-4-1 with the first start at the right piston position for the young Dimitri Colau, aged 17.
The Parisians have a bad start to their meeting. After only six minutes of play, Pablo Pagis, the son of former Marseillais Mickaël, on loan from Lorient during the winter transfer window, opened the scoring with a volley into the area (1-0). Showered by this early goal, the PFC made numerous inaccuracies in the game by increasing the loss of balls. However, Lamine Diaby Fadiga, well launched by Gory, misses the target and a great opportunity to tie the two teams (18th). As we approach the break, Laval midfielder Jommy Roye, formerly of… PFC (2009-2011), is sent off for a poorly controlled tackle on Moustapha Mbow (45th + 3).
Winning coaching
Stéphane Gilli took advantage of half-time to change his tactical system by bringing in striker Josias Lukembila in place of defender Dimitri Colau. Winning bet! On the start, the Swiss striker equalizes on his first ball (1-1, 46th). In the process, Dabila narrowly misses the target (51st). Transformed, the Parisians rushed towards Laval’s goal to take the advantage. Diaby Fadiga misses the target (77th). Despite a final rush at the end of the match, the capital club had to settle for a draw. “I’m happy to bring home a good point from Laval, we didn’t deserve better,” confides Stéphane Gilli. We had never taken a point against a member of the top 5 since the start of the season. In the 2nd period, my men are frustrated with the result but I don’t forget the first where we could have gone into the locker room at 2 or 3-0. The expulsion changes the match but it is part of the game. » In four days, the PFC will welcome Dunkerque (19th) to the Charléty stadium for the 22nd day. It will perhaps be with the reinforcement of Vincent Marchetti (26 years old), midfielder and captain of AC Ajaccio (L2), who is about to join the capital.
The match sheet
LAVAL – PARIS FC: 1-1 (1-0). Spectators: 5,000. Referee: Mr. Taleb.
Buts. Laval : Pagis (6e) ; Paris FC : Lukembila (46e).
Avertissements. Laval : Samassa (73e), Sanna (75e), Adeoti (90e) ; Paris FC : Camara (47e), Mbow (89e).
Expulsion. Laval: Roye (45th + 3)
Paris FC: Riou – Colau (Lukembila, 46th), Dabila, Kolodziejczak, Mbow (cap.), Gaudin – Kebbal, Mandouki, Camara (Doucet, 56th), Gory – Diaby Fadiga. Entr. : Gilli.
