The attempt by Adama Camara, 6th shooter, flies into the sky at the Paul-Lignon stadium in Rodez. It’s over for Paris FC who lost after an incredible penalty shootout (3-2). Obed Nkambadio had however stopped Rodez’s first two attempts. But the Parisians missed a total of 4 shots on goal. After Lohan Doucet, Cyril Mandouki and Ayoub Jabbari missed two match points to conclude this session.
The Paris FC players are on the ground. By snatching this penalty shootout from ten players at the twilight of added time (2-2, 90th + 6) thanks to Yves Dabila, this team, very diminished and blunted, nevertheless seemed unsinkable. She had overcome so many headwinds (injuries, relocation, Charléty pitch, etc.) this season… But the regrets are enormous after such a scenario where Paris FC, tremendously brave, went through all the emotions.
“We tell ourselves that we have to score on the last two but despite everything, we can’t do it,” sighs Stéphane Gilli. Obviously, there is a lot of disappointment but also pride because this group never gave up like this evening until the 95th minute with ten men. We took risks, it could have made it 3-1 but we went for the equalizer. The scenario is cruel but we did as much as we could. In the locker room, I told them I was proud of them…”
After 2019, 2022 and 2023, the curse of the first match of the playoffs has once again struck Paris FC, record holder for participations but which has not yet won a match.
The players are therefore on vacation. Despite this big disappointment, with a little hindsight, management will still be able to draw a positive conclusion from this season which had started badly (7 defeats in the first 10 matches). Thanks to the free operation, Paris FC gained an audience and under the leadership of Stéphane Gilli, a real gaming identity was created. Elements that can help build a hoped-for bright future.
If Cyril Mandouki was present despite his acromioclavicular sprain, Samir Chergui (foot) and Alimami Gory (personal reasons) withdrew at the last minute in addition to playing master Ilan Kebbal (ankle sprain with torn ligaments).
The equalizer in stoppage time
With a very recomposed eleven, Paris FC experienced a lot of difficulty in implementing its usual game. On a nice delivery from Josuas Lukembila, Nouha Dicko (6th goal since his arrival at the end of January) opened the score from the start (0-1, 4th).
But after Danger’s very quick equalizer on a penalty (1-1, 8th), the Parisians were often overtaken in the duels and by the speed of Rodez. Obed Nkambadio saved his team (24th, 38th) but was unable to do anything on Corredor’s cross volley (2-1, 38th). By hitting the post at full speed (18th), Dicko gave himself a big scare.
But the match took a nightmarish turn for the PFC with the expulsion (2nd yellow card) of Moustapha Mbow at the start of the second half (48th).
At ten and with Mandouki sliding into central defense, the Parisians switch to 3-4-2. The top scorer (8 goals), Pierre-Yves Hamel, 66 minutes of play in 2024 due to injuries, and around ten days of training, is even making his comeback. He is the most dangerous (73rd, 81st). Before Yves Dabila’s equalizing goal (2-2, 90th + 6) and this crazy penalty shootout.
“It’s hard but once again, I have nothing to reproach my players,” says Stéphane Gilli. We will have to use all of this for next season and learn the lessons. It was starting to take a lot out of our legs and if we had qualified we would have had difficulty making a team to go to Saint-Étienne. The season was trying, for a first, I experienced a lot. But I had a lot of fun with this group. In the game plan, the way of playing, we achieved something this season and we will build on that. We will see the squad I will have but the idea will be the same. With I hope fewer injuries because this season we have been served. »
Match sheet
RODEZ – PARIS FC 3-2 on penalties (2-2, 2-1)
Spectators: 3,100.
Referee: Mr. Ben El Hadj
Goals. Rodez: Danger (8th sp), Corredor (33rd); Paris FC: Dicko (4th), Dabila (90th + 6).
Warnings. Rodez: Younoussa (90th), Mambo (90th + 4); Paris FC: Mbow (37th), Kolodziejczak (54th), Camara (69th).
Expulsion. Paris FC : Mbow (48e).
Paris FC : Nkambadio – Dabila, Chergui, Mbow, Kolodziejczak, Ollila (Gaudin, 62e) – Mandouki (cap.), Camara – Lukembila (Hamel, 62e), Marchetti (Doucet, 83e), Lopez (Pembélé, 83e) – Dicko (Jabbari, 52e). Entr.. : Gilli.
