A prestigious victory in the Coupe de France at the Parc against PSG (0-1) and a capital success in Nantes (1-2), a direct competitor for maintenance. The week of all dangers turned in the right direction for Paris FC who were able to prepare for the visit of Angers on Sunday, with more serenity and less pressure. Before receiving OM for a gala poster, a success this Sunday at Jean-Bouin would allow them to return to the height of the Angevins in the ranking (11th).
“No one still talks about OM in our country and if that were the case, I would have quickly calmed them down,” smiles Stéphane Gilli. We know that the most important match is the one against Angers. We want to continue and then work with an even more liberated mind. When we are in a delicate position, when we play tough matches, we perhaps have less spontaneity and confidence. So the matches against PSG and Nantes must bring more confidence to the players so that they translate it onto the pitch. »
“The work week was a little happier”
“It’s true that the work week was a little more joyful but still serious to repeat the performance of Nantes and get the three points against Angers,” supports striker Jean-Philippe Krasso.
After returning to the victory that had eluded them since November 1 in Ligue 1 (1-0 in Monaco), the Parisians will also try to erase another bad series: regain at Jean-Bouin. The last and only second home success (after Metz on August 31) dates back to October 2 (2-0 against Lorient). “It’s one of the objectives of this second part of the season, to take more points at home,” recognizes Stéphane Gilli. We said we wanted Jean-Bouin to be a fortress but that was not the case. However, we feel that the public is ready to push us, we have to succeed in wrapping up the match so that it is even more behind us. »
Still deprived of many injured players (Chergui, Lees-Melou, De Smet, Dicko, etc.), others uncertain (Geubbels, Ikoné) or not ready to start as a starter (the latest recruit Munetsi), the Parisian coach should renew his system with three axial defenders as during the two derbies and in Nantes. An organization which, even if it removes a midfielder, seems to give more security guarantees to the 15th defense in Ligue 1.
“In these three matches, we saw that defensively, we were quite solid and balanced,” explains Stéphane Gilli. This is the basis for then having the ball and playing. Because I think we played well in Nantes. It’s not because we’re going to put five attackers that we’re going to be more offensive and that we won’t be with five defenders. What matters is the way we go out, the positions, the principles. »
“For the transfer window, I’m not worried”
After Luca Koleosho and Marshall Munetsi, Paris FC is still looking for a center forward and a central defender by the end of the transfer window. But a certain vagueness reigns internally where there is no unanimity on the profile of Neal Maupay, who has become the hottest lead in attack after having suffered several failures (Chérif, Ajorque, Dzeko, etc.). Having become unwanted at OM, he spoke with Stéphane Gilli and must choose between Paris FC, Sevilla FC and Lille. Competition is also strong for Italian international central defender Diego Coppola (Brighton) which could push Paris to insist on Giulian Biancone (Olympiakos, ex-Monaco).
“We know that the winter transfer window is always complicated but I am not worried at all,” concludes Gilli. There are files in progress. I have confidence in my leaders, I know that we will have a high-performance team in 2026. It already was, but we will improve it further for this second part of the season. »
