The residents of Régionale 1 dream of a new exploit in the round of 16 of the Coupe de France. This Saturday, an entire people will push behind their players.
Montreuil is at the dawn of a moment in history. The Regional 1 club – the sixth level of French football – based in Seine Saint-Denis can take its season to a new dimension. In the round of 16 of the Coupe de France (this Saturday, 3:30 p.m.), the Montreuillois will face Amiens, currently 15th in Ligue 2. To prolong the pleasure. And make a little more impression. With the label of Petit Poucet, the MFC being one of the last two R1 clubs to still be in the running in this 2025-2026 edition (alongside the Normands of Bayeux, facing Olympique de Marseille, next Tuesday).
A difference of four divisions with their next opponent who is preparing in conditions that are far from optimal, given the weather conditions surrounding the region since the start of the week. “We have just come out of several days of truce and we have only trained twice. It’s going to be a little complicated with the snow, we’ll definitely be training indoors. It’s completely different but we have to prepare as best we can.”breathes Saloum Soumaré, 33-year-old striker who returned to the club in 2023, when it moves up to Regional 1.
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“We would obviously have wanted to bring in a Ligue 1 team”
After two victories against Bandrélé (1-0) then Granville (1-1, 4-3 on penalties), for their entry into the competition, the amateurs of 93 defeated Chauvigny last December, two goals to one, during the first 32nd final in the history of the club. A feat against a Nationale 3 team which has already made it an extraordinary journey. “It seems to me that a R1 club in Île-de-France has never played a round of 16”. If the Montreuillois were somewhat “disgusted” and would have “obviously liked to draw a Ligue 1 team” – Paris Saint-Germain, Lyon or Monaco – they know that the Amiens reception offers the guarantee of adversity of a completely different caliber.
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“We feel that there is a lot of enthusiasm within the group”rejoices Théo Boursier, assistant coach, former player of the pennant team and former player at the Toulouse training center. And to add: “Facing professional players, each mistake can be very costly. But we’re not going to turn everything upside down. The idea will be to offer a performance that resembles us. At each turn, we have the impression of having already experienced this scenario, but we are still experiencing an unprecedented moment.
“Like a little family”
Each club has its history. That of Montreuil unites. This season, the majority of the squad is made up of players from the city. Great pride for all those who make up the club: “Montreuil is one of the largest cities in Île-de-France and 93. Within the group, there are representatives from each district. All the players are aware of representing the last amateur team in the region.
Behind the figure of Oumar Sissoko, an experienced 38-year-old goalkeeper, born in Montreuil and who has several caps with Mali, the young guard from Seine Saint-Denis – only four players over 30 make up the squad – is not afraid. “Oumar brings all his knowledge and a lot of serenity within the group. We feel it, even with young people. They are confident, galvanized. We’re like a little family”continues Saloum Soumaré, entrepreneur next to the land, who will soon open a restaurant in the city.
Great support
Their lair unsuitable for the standards set by the French Football Federation, it is once again at the Stade Auguste-Delaune in Bobigny that the Montreuillois will try to force destiny. And the support promises to be just as important. “The entire city is mobilized for Saturday. Since I played in Montreuil, I have never experienced that. There is even a small group of ultras who cover PSG songs. We’re still expecting a crazy atmosphere.”smiles Soumaré.
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Faced with pressure, the right words: “We have to say to ourselves that these are men in front of us. In a match, anything is possible. Same story with Théo Boursier, who nevertheless does not forget the rest of the championship, Montreuil being in a position to move up to the next level at the end of the season: “If history were to end this Saturday, it would be a great source of pride to have achieved such a journey. But we will have to return immediately to reality and to our daily life which is the championship and which remains our major objective for the season.. In the meantime, the magic of the Coupe de France may still have a few surprises in store for the people of Montreuil.
